Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Saturday, April 5
Mikel Arteta slammed the referee’s decision to award Everton a second-half penalty in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw, claiming “there is no way” it should’ve stood. The penalty, converted by Iliman Ndiaye, halted Arsenal’s push to close the gap on Liverpool.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was judged to have fouled Jack Harrison in the box, but replays suggested minimal contact. Arteta also argued that Everton defender Jake O’Brien should’ve been sent off earlier. Arsenal now trail Liverpool by 11 points, increasing pressure ahead of Tuesday’s UCL quarterfinal vs Real Madrid.