Gunners Boss Blames “Never a Penalty” Decision for Second-Half Collapse at Goodison Park
Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure after a controversial penalty decision derailed Arsenal’s momentum in their 1-1 draw at Everton, leaving the Gunners boss to lament what he called a game-changing call that “was never a penalty.”
Leandro Trossard’s clinical first-half strike had given Arsenal the lead, but the match turned just moments after the restart when referee Darren England pointed to the spot following a tangle between Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jack Harrison. Replays showed contact began outside the box but continued inside, with VAR upholding the decision—much to Arteta’s dismay.
“The start of the second half was very poor from us, and then the penalty decision came,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “For me, it’s never a penalty. The timing was really bad—just as we were trying to build momentum, the game completely changed.”
The draw leaves Arsenal 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played an extra game, with their Premier League title challenge now hanging by a thread. Former Gunners defender Martin Keown believes their season has been derailed by too many draws—their 11th of the campaign—and a crippling injury list that has robbed Arteta of key players, including Gabriel, who is out for the season.
“There were games they won last year that they’re now drawing,” Keown said. “Injuries have hurt them badly, especially in attack. Today felt more about preservation ahead of the Champions League.”
With a blockbuster quarter-final against Real Madrid looming on Tuesday, Arteta faces a tough balancing act—salvaging their European dreams while watching their domestic ambitions slip away. For now, the Spaniard’s frustration is clear: another contentious decision, another two points dropped, and a season that risks fading into disappointment.
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