In a thrilling night of Champions League action at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal faced off against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarter-final, which ended in a 2-2 draw. However, both teams had reasons to feel frustrated as penalty appeals were waved away.
Arsenal rallied from a 2-1 deficit to equalize through substitute Leandro Trossard, but in the dying moments of the match, Bukayo Saka was brought down by Manuel Neuer inside the box. Despite fervent appeals from the home fans, referee Glenn Nyberg remained unmoved, eventually ending the game amid a chorus of boos.
Trossard voiced his belief that it was a clear penalty, emphasizing the evident contact. Meanwhile, Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, expressed his disappointment over a separate incident where he felt Gabriel handled the ball after a quick Arsenal goal-kick.
The decision not to award a penalty to Arsenal left pundits and fans alike stunned. Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown couldn’t comprehend how the referee and VAR didn’t intervene, with the former deeming it inexplicable given the circumstances.
However, opinions were divided. While some, like Matthew Upson, believed it was the right call after reviewing the replay, others, such as Michael Brown, argued that Saka tried to manipulate the decision.
In a twist, Bayern Munich also had a penalty claim arising from an unusual incident involving Gabriel’s handball during a goal-kick, which further fueled frustration among the players and fans.
Ferdinand and Keown expressed their frustration, emphasizing the clear penalty call for Bayern Munich. Ultimately, the referee’s decisions left many questioning his judgment and competence.
