Controversy: Did Arsenal and Bayern Munich Miss Clear Penalties?
The Champions League quarter-final first leg between Arsenal and Bayern Munich ended in a 2-2 draw, but both teams left the pitch with a sense of grievance over penalty decisions. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka went down in the box after a challenge from Bayern’s Manuel Neuer in stoppage time, but the referee waved away the appeals for a penalty. On the other hand, Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel felt his team was denied a deserved penalty when Gabriel handled the ball after an Arsenal goal-kick.
‘Disbelief’ as Arsenal denied penalty
In the dying moments of the match, Saka had a golden opportunity to secure victory for Arsenal as he raced into the box and evaded Neuer’s challenge. However, he was left incensed when the referee decided not to award a penalty. Even the video assistant referee (VAR) did not intervene, leaving Saka and the home fans in disbelief. Pundits Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown expressed their astonishment at the decision, questioning why VAR did not intervene. Keown emphasized that nine out of ten top European referees would have awarded a penalty in that situation.
However, not everyone agreed with the outcry. Matthew Upson, a former Arsenal center-back, believed that it was the correct call not to award a penalty. After reviewing the replay, Upson noted that Saka had initiated the contact and almost kicked Neuer in the end. He commended the referee for making a good decision under immense pressure. Michael Brown, an ex-Manchester City midfielder, also supported the referee’s decision, stating that Saka had tried to engineer the decision and his leg was in an unnatural position.
Manager’s response
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta chose to distance himself from the debate, stating that the officials had reviewed the incident and concluded it was not a penalty. Arteta did not want to dwell on the controversy and preferred to focus on his team’s performance moving forward.
Conclusion
The controversial penalty decisions in the Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Champions League match left both teams with a sense of injustice. Arsenal felt aggrieved when Saka’s penalty shout was denied in stoppage time, while Bayern believed they should have been awarded a penalty for Gabriel’s handball. The differing opinions among pundits and former players highlighted the subjective nature of penalty decisions. Ultimately, the referee’s judgment and the absence of VAR intervention in both situations added fuel to the controversy. Regardless of the outcome, the match showcased the intensity and drama that makes the Champions League such a thrilling competition.