'The facts show' - Arsenal frustration justified as ex-referee speaks out on "poor decisions" against Gunners

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has expressed sympathy with Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta after claiming the North London club have had “some poor decisions” go against them this season.

The Gunners missed another opportunity to increase the pressure on Liverpool in the Premier League title race as they drew 1-1 with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday night. The frustration of dropping more points was compounded when the Reds were held to a 2-2 by Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Arteta was annoyed after Arsenal’s latest result as he raged at the penalty decision given to the Seagulls in the second half. Ethan Nwaneri’s second Premier League goal had put the visitors ahead but Brighton earned a draw after João Pedro scored from the penalty spot. Pedro flicked the ball over William Saliba, who got a slight touch with his head before the momentum saw him clash with Pedro’s head. Referee Anthony Taylor hesitated before pointing to the penalty spot.

Arteta anger at penalty

Speaking after the game, Arteta said he’d never seen a penalty decision like it and was surprised by how quickly VAR backed the on-field call. He said: “I have never seen a decision like this in my career. I asked the boys if they have and nobody has seen it before. When you look at the incident, the distance, the player, João touching the ball, then Saliba touching the ball, you can see contact there. I checked [with the officials]. After three seconds they said they had already checked. It seems quick.

“The run that we are on especially with all the situations, injuries and players that we are missing – I think the team deserves a lot of credit. It’s disappointing because it’s not about how much effort we put in today but it was more about the freshness and the quality that we have to deliver in the second half to dominate the game much better.”

Hackett agrees with Arteta but warns of FA charge

Refereeing decisions have been a source of frustration for Arsenal supporters throughout the campaign after red cards for Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard to and Saliba against Brighton, Manchester City and Bournemouth. Two of those were second yellows as Rice and Trossard both kicked the ball away while Saliba was penalised for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity that saw him suspended for the 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Hackett has expressed sympathy with the Gunners, as he wrote on X: “The facts show that Arsenal have had some poor decisions awarded against them.”

However, he has warned that the Gunners could be hit with an FA charge following the way their players reacted to the Brighton penalty award over the weekend. He told Football Insider: “Brighton were awarded a penalty kick for a clash of heads which was checked by VAR. It will be interesting to see if the Football Association charges Arsenal for failing to control their players given that Taylor was surrounded by protesting Arsenal players.”