Former referee Mark Clattenburg has told Arsenal Insider that he doesn’t believe a penalty should have been awarded against the Gunners in their clash with PSG.
It came in a tense match between the two teams at the Parc des Princes, with Arsenal trailing 1-0 to PSG after the first leg.
While the north London outfit had a positive start to the match, it was the home side that made them pay for not taking their chances.
Fabian Ruiz’s strike from the edge of the box flew into the back of the net, extending PSG’s lead to 2-0 on aggregate.
The French outfit were handed a chance to extend that, with a controversial VAR decision given against Arsenal on the night.
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Mark Clattenburg believes PSG shouldn’t have had a penalty against Arsenal
A controversial penalty was awarded to PSG in the second half of Arsenal’s huge meeting at the Parc des Princes, with VAR getting involved once again.
A deflected strike from Achraf Hakimi brushed the outstretched arm of Myles Lewis-Skelly, resulting in a comfortable save for David Raya.
After a VAR review, the referee, Felix Zwayer, decided the handball was enough to award a spot kick for the hosts.
Arsenal fans were furious with the penalty to PSG, believing it was the wrong decision.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg spoke exclusively to Arsenal Insider about the incident and gave his view on the situation.
He said: “Again VAR has refereed both Champions League semi-finals. VAR was supposed to have minor interference and maximum impact, but I am getting more and more confused.
“No player from PSG appealed for a penalty after Lewis-Skelly had handled the ball from a Hakimi shot. This suggests that football does not accept such a handball, which is so controversial in its application across the world of football.
“Yes, his arm is slightly away from his body, but it is natural for the way he is blocking the ball. I don’t believe a penalty should be awarded.
“However, UEFA have different guidelines on handball to the Premier League and punishes more strictly than what we see each week.
“We saw this in the Euros when Germany were denied a penalty for a handball against Cucurella, which was less extended from the body, but some months later, UEFA said that a penalty should have been awarded.”
It certainly suggests that even the ex-referees are baffled by the application of the technology, which went against Arsenal on the night.
Referee decisions aren’t the main concern for Arsenal
While Arsenal may feel as though it’s another referee decision against the side, the main learning point for the side will be something they’ve seen throughout the season.
The Gunners could have won the tie, had they simply taken their chances, and that was the main thing not going in their favour.
Ultimately, the referee’s call meant nothing, with the save from David Raya, as well as the scoreline not being in Arsenal’s favour.
If Mikel Arteta is to take anything from the game, it’s that the side need to find another way to open teams up and score goals.
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