Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration over the penalty decision in his team’s 1-1 draw with Brighton, which he described as baffling.
The Gunners lost ground in the Premier League title race after a controversial penalty awarded by referee Anthony Taylor allowed the Seagulls to equalize.
Ethan Nwaneri had given Arsenal the lead in the first half, but Brighton leveled the score after Taylor ruled that William Saliba had headbutted Joao Pedro inside the box. Pedro converted the spot-kick, sending David Raya the wrong way.
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“We are very disappointed with the penalty decision,” Arteta said. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. Saliba clearly touches the ball. For me, it’s a clear no penalty.”
Reflecting on Arsenal’s performance, Arteta added, “We have to improve in many areas. Playing every three days is tough, but the quality, consistency, and simple aspects of our game need to be at the required level, especially against a strong team. Today, we didn’t meet the standard needed to win.”
