Mikel Arteta insists he's 'NEVER seen' anything like Joao Pedro's controversial penalty - with the Arsenal boss slamming the 'disappointing' decision which saw points shared with Brighton
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Mikel Arteta described Joao Pedro’s equalising penalty as a decision he has ‘never’ seen in his career as he bemoaned a ‘disappointing’ decision which has dented Arsenal’s title hopes. Near the hour mark, Pedro had flicked the ball up and William Saliba, in attempting to head the ball, made contact with the Brazilian’s head.
![[William Saliba was deemed to have fouled Pedro as he accidentally headbutted the forward]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/04/22/93744359-0-image-a-12_1736028508093.jpg)
The foul was checked and confirmed by the VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty, which Pedro scored for Brighton to cancel out 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri’s first-half strike. The north London club, who have drawn three in their last six league matches, now trail leaders Liverpool by five points, who have two games in hand. The Reds face Manchester United this afternoon.
![[Arsenal's title hopes have been dented following Saturday's 1-1 draw with the Seagulls]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/04/22/93744405-0-image-a-14_1736028685760.jpg)
Arteta said: ‘It’s a decision that is very disappointing. ‘I have never seen a decision like this in my career. I asked the boys if they have and nobody has seen it before. When you look at the incident, the distance, the player, Joao touching the ball, then Saliba touching the ball, you can see contact there.
Mikel Arteta described Joao Pedro’s equalising penalty as a decision he has ‘never’ seen. William Saliba was deemed to have fouled Pedro as he accidentally headbutted the forward. Arsenal's title hopes have been dented following Saturday's 1-1 draw with the Seagulls.
‘I checked (with the officials). After three seconds they said they had already checked. It seems quick.’. Pedro has now netted home and away against Arsenal this season. On whether the Gunners need a January signing, Arteta added: ‘We cannot make a decision based on one performance for one day with a lot of circumstances, not only the players that we lost but the fact that we had to take Ethan out. Hopefully on Tuesday we will be in a better position.’.
