There was penalty drama in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal were stunned by PSG at the Parc des Princes as, after a remarkably strong start, it was Luis Enrique’s side that took the lead early on.
The Parisiens doubled their lead on the night in the second half, extending their aggregate lead to three goals, with the third being a particularly painful one.
Minutes before Achraf Hakimi struck PSG even further ahead, referee Felix Zwayer awarded the hosts a penalty after Myles Lewis-Skelly handled the ball.
Lewis-Skelly had a tough night against PSG, and his evening was made even worse as Zwayer pointed to the spot after a VAR check, but should the penalty have been given?
Arsenal and rival fans react to Myles Lewis-Skelly penalty vs PSG
Fortunately, David Raya saved Vitinha’s spot-kick, but the Gunners were wounded shortly after by Hakimi.
Though the Spaniard spared Lewis-Skelly’s blushes, plenty of spectators believed that Zwayer shouldn’t have pointed to the spot in the first place.
On X, Arsenal fans reacted to the ‘very harsh’ call, drawing attention to the fact that no opposition player appealed for a handball.
“This is very very harsh for us,” a supporter said, as others shared a similar opinion.
“Are you joking? That is not a pen, you can’t give that,” and, “Why are they nitpicking that and giving a pen for it, that’s ridiculous.”
Hakimi struck the ball and didn’t complain about Lewis-Skelly’s hand brushing the shot, as the footballing world was left stunned by the decision.
“Not a single PSG player even complained. I cannot believe my eyes. What an awful decision.”
Arsenal fans felt hard done by, and they weren’t the only ones who sympathised with the teenager, as supporters of rival clubs shared their opinions.
“I want PSG to win but I’m sorry but that is NEVER a Penalty. UEFA hand ball rules are seriously frustrating,” a Manchester United fan said.
Liverpool supporters then chimed in with responses.
“That is the most ridiculous penalty I have ever seen,” one said, as another agreed, “Omds that’s such a harsh penalty.”
A Chelsea fan then admitted that, despite wanting Arsenal to lose, the decision was particularly harsh.
“Even as a hatewatcher, that’s a very harsh penalty, as nobody even appealed it.”
David Raya gave Arsenal a brief lifeline
With two goals between the sides at the time of the penalty kick, the importance of Raya saving it was all the more crucial.
The Spaniard saved Vitinha’s poorly-struck penalty to keep his team in the game, but to keep in trend with the night on Arsenal giving PSG opportunities, the Gunners conceded moments later from open play.
It was a confidence-boosting moment for Raya, who has been the subject of recent criticism, but the opinion remains that the penalty shouldn’t have been awarded in the first place.
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