Ally McCoist argues Arsenal 'had a case' for penalty against Inter Milan as ex-West Ham man agrees
Arsenal were on the wrong end of a questionable decision against Inter Milan in the Champions League
Ally McCoist felt Arsenal were unlucky not to be awarded a first-half penalty against Inter Milan following a collision between Yann Sommer and Mikel Merino in the Champions League contest in Italy on Wednesday night.
Just before the half-four mark, and with the score at 0-0 at the San Siro, Merino and Sommer challenged for a Gabriel Martinelli cross with the Inter goalkeeper punching the Arsenal midfielder in the head as he attempted to clear the danger. The referee believed the Inter man got something on the ball as he awarded a corner.
The corner was delayed slightly as VAR checked the incident but did not feel there was enough in the collision to overturn the referee’s on-field call of no penalty - something McCoist did not appear to agree with. Speaking on TNT Sports commentary, the former Rangers and Sunderland striker said: "I'll tell you what, you can make a case for that being a penalty. You can make a case because he gets there before the goalkeeper. Does the goalkeeper maybe touch it with his hands? It's an interesting one. If the goalkeeper doesn't get it, they have got a case for a penalty.”
Once it was confirmed that VAR had checked the incident but opted not to intervene, McCoist added: "I think they [Arsenal] unlucky there. They [referees] nearly got that one right." Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live former Arsenal, Wet Ham United and Birmingham City defender Matt Upson appeared to agree with McCoist’s take. He said: “Yann Sommer smashes Mikel Merino. I don't think Sommer gets anything on the ball.”
Further opinion on the incident was provided by a supporter on the BBC Sport live coverage, who said: “This referee's been giving fouls for any tiny incident. Yet Sommer can come out and punch Merino in the head, and nothing! Football officiating really is a complete farce at times!” Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown weighed in the on incident: “It is the follow through which catches the player.” Rio Ferdinand also said: “I don’t think it is a penalty, the keeper comes out and gets contract on the ball.”
The Gunners conceded a penalty before half time after Piotr Zielinski flicked the ball off Merino's arm, with the refereeing pointing straight to the spot. VAR checked the decision for a potential offside and stuck with the on-field call, with Hakan Calhanoglu then converting from the spot. Arsenal have been awarded one penalty in the Champions League so far this season but it was missed by Leandro Trossard in their 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium back in October. They also conceded a penalty in their 0-0 draw at Atalanta. David Raya saved it to earn a point for his side in the opening game.