Arteta Slams ‘Clear Penalty’ as Arsenal Frustrated by 0-0 Draw Against Nottingham Forest

Arsenal were left ruing missed opportunities after being held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, a result that prevented the Gunners from opening a nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League. Manager Mikel Arteta was left frustrated, insisting that his side were denied a “clear penalty” during a game they largely dominated.

Arsenal’s Missed Chance to Capitalise

The Gunners had several good openings to break the deadlock, but were unable to convert their chances into goals. One key moment came deep into the second half when Ola Aina appeared to handle the ball while attempting to clear it. The incident, however, was not given as a penalty by referee Michael Oliver, who consulted VAR before confirming that the defender’s arm was in a “natural position.”

Speaking to the BBC after the match, Arteta did not hold back. “We created four big, big, big chances and a clear penalty, but we weren’t able to win the game,” he said. “I’ve just seen the replays. I think it’s a clear intention to clear the ball inside and it’s a clear penalty, so I don’t understand why it’s not been given.”

Arsenal’s frustration was compounded by Gabriel Martinelli’s missed open-goal opportunity in the first half, a moment that perfectly illustrated their inability to finish when chances came. Arteta admitted his team needs to be more clinical with their opportunities.

VAR and Referee Defend Decision

While Arteta believed the penalty should have been awarded, others saw it differently. Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche dismissed the controversy, telling TNT Sports: “You might as well cancel football, you might as well cancel football if you’re going to do that [give a penalty].”

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey offered his view, siding with Oliver and VAR. Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Halsey said: “In the 79th minute, the ball does strike his arm, but in my opinion, his arms are in a natural position for that phase of play. His arms are up, they’re coming down as the ball is coming down as well. Yes, it does strike his arm, but not a deliberate act. Michael Oliver and VAR got the decision absolutely spot on. Not a penalty for me.”

This opinion aligns with VAR’s strict interpretation of handball rules, which focuses on deliberate action and unnatural arm positions rather than accidental contact.

Arsenal’s Frustrations on the Pitch

Despite the setback, Arteta praised his team’s overall performance and defensive solidity. Arsenal did not concede a single shot on target throughout the game and remained compact and organised, even when Forest disrupted their rhythm.

However, Arteta was clear that relying on decisions from referees or VAR is not a sustainable strategy. “We could’ve been better, but as well, this is happening all around the league for every single team. We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances, you have to put them away,” he said.

Impact on the Title Race

Although Arsenal left Nottingham with just a single point, they still extend their lead at the top to seven points following Manchester City’s loss in the Manchester Derby. Yet, the margin could shrink if Aston Villa defeats Everton in their upcoming fixture, adding further pressure on Arteta’s side.

For now, Arsenal will need to address their finishing inefficiency and ensure moments like Martinelli’s miss or the Aina handball do not prove costly in the title race. While the result was disappointing, the Gunners remain in a strong position to maintain their push for Premier League glory — provided they turn dominance into goals.