“It has to be 1000% a penalty” - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta slams ‘difficult’ decision after 1-0 loss against Inter

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was unimpressed after two penalty decisions went against his team on Wednesday (November 6) while facing Inter Miami. The Gunners succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Nerazzurri at San Siro in the Champions League.

The Serie A champions were awarded a penalty when the ball skimmed off Mehdi Taremi to hit Mikel Merino's outstretched arm. Hakan Calhanoglu scored from the spot in the third minute of first-half injury time.

Arsenal were also denied a penalty earlier in the game when Merino was apparently punched by Inter Milan's goalkeeper Yann Sommer as they both attempted to reach a cross. The incident was reviewed by VAR, who upheld the onfield referee's decision not to award a penalty.

Speaking after the game, Arteta criticized both decisions, saying (via Sportstar):

“Well, I don’t understand, it’s just a deflection. There is no danger all, you can not react because the ball is very close. But OK, they decide there is a penalty."

He continued:

"But then if that’s a penalty, the one on Mikel Merino, you know, when he punches in the head, it has to be 1,000% a penalty. And these are the margins in this game and very, very difficult to accept.”

He concluded:

“(I’m) extremely frustrated as well because there are two decisions that at the end marks the result and the course of the game.”

The Gunners rallied for an equalizer after the break but Inter Milan held on. The north London side are now 12th on the Champions League table after four games, with two wins and one defeat to their name.

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How many games have Arsenal lost this season?

Arsenal are going through a rough phase at the moment

Arsenal have lost three times in 16 games across competitions this season. The Gunners were expected to fight for the Premier League this year after narrowly missing out on the title last campaign.

However, they are now fifth on the league table after 10 games, already seven points behind leader Liverpool. All of their three defeats have come in the last six games

Mikel Arteta strengthened his squad by roping in Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori, and Raheem Sterling over the summer. The Spanish manager oversaw a decent start to the campaign but his team have struggled of late.

Martin Odegaard's injury has hurt the club, with the Norwegian now out with a sprained ankle. Arsenal also lost 1-0 to Newcastle United in the Premier League over the weekend (November 2).