Martin Keown shares his honest verdict on controversial Arsenal handball decision vs Inter Milan

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Arsenal fans are seemingly coming away from the 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at San Siro divided in opinion.

Some Arsenal supporters seem to think that Mikel Arteta’s side simply delivered a repeat of their Newcastle United showing – lacking any real creativity or fight.

And then there were those who saw a real improvement in the second half in Italy, even if Arsenal weren’t able to score.

Bukayo Saka was trying his best to make something happen throughout, and at the risk of repeating the same old story, Ethan Nwaneri changed the game once he came on.

That being said, the match was ultimately decided on a controversial handball decision by referee Istvan Kovacs, who awarded Inter a penalty just before half-time.

Martin Keown thinks Mikel Merino handball decision was ludicrous

Mikel Merino was adjudged to have committed a handball offence, leading to a penalty which Hakan Calhanoglu had no difficulty dispatching.

Speaking alongside Rio Ferdinand during TNT Sports’ coverage of the game, Martin Keown was convinced that such decisions were ‘ruining the game’.

READ MORE: Five things learned after Arsenal lost to Inter Milan as Mikel Arteta left with Leandro Trossard call

The former Arsenal man was endlessly frustrated by the decision when speaking at half-time, a stance shared by Ferdinand.

Keown said: “The wording is, is the arm in an unnatural position and it certainly isn’t.

“I mean I don’t know who determines that but the referee has given it, VAR are then never going to intervene and then we have this debate again, and I think it’s ruining our game to be honest – it ruined Arsenal’s team talk there at half-time.

“I didn’t think there was anything between the two teams and Arsenal really hard done by there.”

Ferdinand added: “It’s unfortunate that the rules are different in different competitions, I think that’s the confusing thing, for not only players but [also] fans and us pundits watching the game.”

Mikel Arteta booked for his animated second half performance

Whether fans felt Arsenal improved from the weekend or not, there was a clear change in pace in the Gunners’ second half performance.

Arteta would appear to have sent a clear message at half-time to move the ball more quickly, something Gabriel Jesus helped to do, even if he ultimately wasn’t a goal threat.

Aside from conceding the controversial penalty mentioned, Mikel Merino was seriously poor for Arsenal before being hooked – his first touch was nowhere near good enough.

All in all, even if Arsenal were unfortunate with the penalty decision, it was another frustrating evening for Arteta’s team, who will head to Chelsea on Sunday with so much on the line.