Ignore the “bizarre” penalty decision versus Brighton, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have bigger issues
Share:
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal: Ethan Nwaneri’s opener was cancelled out after Joao Pedro converted from the penalty spot. A game at Brighton that may well be characterised by the definition of “sufficient contact”. That’s one way to describe Arsenal temporarily moving to within five points of Liverpool, although with the knowledge that could extend to 11 from two games in hand, after another debated penalty decision cost Mikel Arteta’s side victory. They had been looking to grind out a 1-0 win, only for a William Saliba attempt at a header to bring a collision with Joao Pedro, that was adjudged to be a penalty.
![[William Saliba’s accidental headbutt on Joao Pedro led to Brighton’s goal]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/04/19/2192416673.jpg)
Arsenal were furious, especially since Saliba seemed to touch the ball first. An inevitable complaint from supporters was that it’s the sort of decision you only see given against their club, but then it was also just a bizarre moment of the type you don’t usually see at all. Arteta wasn’t focusing on that aspect. He initially described the decision as “very disappointing”, before adding “I’ve never seen a decision” - not “a moment” - like this in my career”.
![[Ethan Nwaneri slotted the Gunners ahead with a Bukayo Saka-like finish]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/04/18/557e6373b7d541599b76ab938e22c624.jpg)
“I asked if the boys had, and they said no.”. It’s admittedly rare to have headers like that. That did mean it appeared harsh, and probably wouldn’t have brought a VAR intervention if a penalty wasn’t initially given. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler naturally had another view, describing it as a “clear penalty”. He claimed: “If it happens with a different part of the body, like knee to knee, it’s just too late. That’s the problem. It’s late.”.
![[Joao Pedro converted from the penalty spot for Brighton’s equaliser]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/04/18/2025-01-04T185441Z_925926977_UP1EL141GJ2B0_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-BHA-ARS-REPORT.jpg)
