Sean Dyche believes it would have been “ridiculous” if Arsenal were awarded a penalty against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday night.Â
Ola Aina appeared to handle the ball in the box after it hit his shoulder, but the VAR judged that the defender’s arm was in a natural position.
The hosts thought they should have had a spot kick of their own earlier in the match when Callum Hudson-Odoi was taken down by Jurrien Timber, but a brief VAR check showed that the first contact came before the winger entered the box.
Ultimately, Forest held Arsenal to a goalless draw and a share of the spoils.
Sean Dyche: Cancel football if that Arsenal penalty is given
“I think if these start to get given we’ve all got to leave it,” Dyche told TNT Sports after the final whistle. “I think that’s ridiculous. We’ve got to be careful with those.
“I thought you were going to say our one [penalty claim in the first half]. Right on the line of the box, they say it’s outside. I think he’s already in full flight, he gets pulled, he’s going in the box, he’s going to get there.
“You may as well cancel football if you’re going to give that [handball by Aina]. The rules have to be careful. You know what they should be looking at, people feigning injury. That’s the new diving. I wouldn’t worry about the handballs. Cancel football if that handball is given.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, on the other hand, felt the decision not to award the penalty was incorrect.
“I saw it live. I saw it here and saw it now again. It is very unnecessary but he brings the ball in with the hand, so it’s a clear penalty,” he told TNT Sports.
Read – Arteta fumes as Arsenal denied ‘clear penalty’ against Forest
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