Keith Hackett has claimed that Arsenal “have every right to be aggrieved” by the controversial penalty Istvan Kovacs awarded against them during their Champions League defeat against Inter Milan on Wednesday (6 November)
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-FIFA and Premier League referee claimed it was “another incorrect interpretation of the poor handball law.”
Hakan Calhanoglu’s first-half penalty was enough to separate the two teams and was awarded after the ball hit Mikel Merino’s arm following a freekick from the Serie A giants.
Mikel Arteta slammed the decision during his post-match interview by saying, “I don’t understand.
“There is no danger at all, you cannot react because the ball is very close but ok, they decide that is a penalty.”
The result left Arsenal 12th in the Champions League table as the Gunners suffered their third defeat in six games across all competitions.
Arsenal are right to feel frustrated by Inter Milan’s penalty
Hackett told Football Insider, “Arsenal have every right to be aggrieved when Referee Istvan Kovacs wrongly awarded a penalty kick for an alleged handball against Mikel Merino.
“It was yet another incorrect interpretation of the poor handball law.
“Merino’s arm was close to his body when the ball struck his arm. The player’s body shape was not bigger, and it was a clear and obvious error.
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