Mark Clattenburg shares whether Arsenal should’ve got a penalty vs Nottingham Forest

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Speaking exclusively to Arsenal Insider, Mark Clattenburg has had his say on a penalty shout during Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners had the chance to go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Manchester City’s defeat against Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta’s men pushed until the end, but they were not at their best and failed to beat Matz Sels in Forest’s goal.

However, there was one decision that caused a bit of controversy – a handball shout against Ola Aina inside the box.

Mark Clattenburg delivers verdict on the penalty shout during Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

Arsenal found it very hard to break down Nottingham Forest.

Sean Dyche’s sides are always difficult to face, and Arteta’s record against him – just four wins in 11 games – proves that.

Arsenal had a few chances. Gabriel Martinelli missed a sitter in the first half, while Bukayo Saka’s header was saved brilliantly by Sels. Declan Rice and Mikel Merino also came close to scoring.

It was just one of those days for Arsenal in front of goal, but there was a big shout for a penalty.

Aina seemed to scoop the ball away with his arms. Arteta was adamant that it was handball and made his opinion clear on the sidelines.

VAR checked the incident and decided not to intervene. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has agreed with that decision.

He told Arsenal Insider: “Ola Aina does touch the ball with his arm after controlling it with his shoulder.

“Some people will argue that his arm makes a movement to the ball, but that movement was created by Elliot Anderson making contact with him. That contact in the back makes it look like his arm goes to the ball.

“I agree with the referee and VAR on this occasion of no penalty, and especially when the Premier League referees have a high threshold of awarding penalty kicks for handball.”

Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal not getting a penalty vs Nottingham Forest

Arteta was clearly not happy with the decision not to award a penalty.

The Gunners boss was repeatedly pointing at his arms on the touchline while VAR checked the incident, suggesting that it was a clear handball.

VAR disagreed, and Arteta claimed after the game that he just could not understand how his side weren’t awarded a spot kick.

“It’s a clear intention to keep the ball inside. So, it’s a clear penalty,” he said in his post-match interview.

“I don’t understand why it has not been given.”