Mikel Arteta admitted he went through a rollercoaster of emotions during the tense closing moments of Arsenal’s match, as VAR reviewed a potential penalty decision that could have changed everything.
Speaking after the game, the Arsenal boss opened up about the nerve-wracking incident, saying: “I wasn’t happy at all, and I clearly saw that there could never be a penalty, but he made the decision so well done because he was really honest.”
The Spaniard’s reaction summed up the relief that swept through the Arsenal camp once the referee stood by his original call. The Gunners, who have been in remarkable form recently, were moments away from seeing their clean sheet and hard-fought victory snatched away.
Arteta praised the referee’s integrity and composure in handling the situation, emphasizing that fairness was ultimately upheld. “I think obviously the images show that wasn’t a penalty and I want to maintain that because I think that gives you something to defend as well and to merit and it would have been a bit sloppy to give it away that way,” he added.
It was another test of Arsenal’s discipline and resilience under pressure, something Arteta has been keen to instill in his side. With the decision going their way, Arsenal not only held onto their win but also showcased the kind of composure and defensive solidity that has defined their impressive run of form this season.
