Dermot Gallagher now shares why Arsenal were unlucky over decision in derby draw

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Arsenal drew 2 2 with Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, and the game saw them receive a penalty for a handball from Cristian Romero.

Bukayo Saka scored early on in the second half from the spot after the Argentine defender handled the ball following a shot from Ben White after a corner.

A lengthy VAR check from Paul Tierney then saw a penalty awarded, but no card given to Romero. Dermot Gallagher has now told Sky Sports that whilst this was the correct decision, Romero would have received a red card if he was the last man.

“Does Romero use his arms to balance, for what is going on? I would say yes, but his arms are out,” he stated.

“His arms are out, it strikes his arm, it blocks the shot going in. He may feel he’s unlucky to give a penalty away, I think he’s had a massive stroke of luck, because what people didn’t realise, if Bissouma wasn’t behind him, he would have also been sent off because it would have been headed towards the goal with no defender.

“His bad luck in giving a penalty away that he would say, turned into very, very good luck that Bissouma just happened to be there.”

Forced errors

Although Arsenal were poor overall in the draw one thing they did do well was target Romero to force him into errors.

Arsenal’s first goal was courtesy of an own goal by the World Cup winner, as Bukayo Saka’s shot headed towards him and he put it into his own net.

White’s effort from the corner then collided with Romero and earned a deserved penalty. Crowding the box and causing chaos from the set piece meant that Romero could not do anything about the handball, with Arsenal benefiting again at his expense.

If Romero was sent off, Arsenal could have pushed on to grab the win and may not have even conceded the second equaliser. Whilst the draw was a fair result, it could have ended so differently, and it was a frustrating day overall.