Mikel Arteta angered by two penalty calls in Arsenal loss at Inter

By: Daniella Matar, The Associated Press Posted: 5:31 PM CST Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024

MILAN (AP) — Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday was “very, very difficult to accept” after two penalty decisions went against his team.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/11/2024 (700 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The only goal of the game came just before halftime after Inter was awarded a penalty when a free kick into the area skimmed off Mehdi Taremi and onto Mikel Merino’s outstretched arm, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu converted from the spot.

Merino had a penalty appeal of his own rejected earlier in the match – after being checked by the video assistant referee – when he appeared to be punched in the head by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer as they both went for a cross.

Inter Milan's goalkeeper Yann Sommer, top left, makes a safe on Arsenal's Mikel Merino during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

“Well, I don’t understand, it’s just a deflection,” Arteta said on the penalty that was awarded against Merino. “There is no danger all, you can not react because the ball is very close. But OK, they decide there is a penalty. But then if that’s a penalty, the one on Mikel Merino, you know, when he punches in the head, it has to be 1,000% a penalty. And these are the margins in this game and very, very difficult to accept.”

Çalhanoğlu’s penalty was the first goal conceded by Arsenal in the Champions League this season.

And Arteta felt his team should have got more from what he said was “by far the best (match) that we played in the last few years” in Europe.

Arsenal pushed hard for the equalizer but the Inter defense withstood wave after wave of attack.

“(I’m) extremely frustrated as well because there are two decisions that at the end marks the result and the course of the game,” Arteta said.