Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left frustrated by what he deemed a "bizarre" decision to award a penalty to Brighton during their match on the south coast. The penalty was given after Arsenal defender William Saliba collided head-on with Brighton's Joao Pedro, with replays showing that Saliba had touched the ball before making contact. Arteta expressed his disbelief at the decision, stating that he had never seen anything like it in his career. Brighton's head coach Fabian Hurzeler defended the decision, saying it was a clear penalty and that there would have been no complaints if the contact had been made with a different part of the body.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration over a "bizarre" penalty decision that went against his team in their match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
During the Premier League match on the south coast, Arsenal defender William Saliba collided head-on with Brighton's Joao Pedro in the penalty area. Replays showed that Saliba had touched the ball before making contact with the attacker.
Referee Mike Dean awarded a spot-kick to Brighton, a decision that left Arteta incredulous.
After the match, Arteta stated that he had "never seen anything like it in my career." He questioned the rationale behind the decision, arguing that Saliba had clearly played the ball first.
"I don't know what they've seen on the TV," Arteta said. "I'm really surprised by the decision."
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler defended the decision, saying it was a clear penalty. He pointed out that the contact was made with Saliba's shoulder, which would have been penalized if it had been with any other part of the body.
"It's a clear penalty," Hurzeler said. "If he hits him in the face, it's a penalty. If he hits him in the stomach, it's a penalty."
1. Why was the penalty awarded?
The penalty was awarded because the referee deemed that Saliba had made contact with Pedro before playing the ball.
2. What did Arteta say about the decision?
Arteta expressed disbelief at the decision, calling it "bizarre" and "strange."
3. What did Hurzeler say in defense of the decision?
Hurzeler argued that the penalty was clear as the contact was made with Saliba's shoulder, which would have resulted in a penalty regardless of the point of contact.
4. Has this type of decision happened before?
Similar decisions have been made in the past, but this particular incident has sparked controversy due to the clear contact with the ball before the collision.
5. Will the decision be appealed?
It is unlikely that the decision will be appealed as it was made by the referee on the field and is therefore final.
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