Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel cut opposing figures after a VAR check on a late Manuel Neuer challenge that ended with Bukayo Saka being upended in the Bayern Munich box. The Gunners were denied a late spot kick as the game ended 2-2 but the incident caused plenty of controversy.
Leandro Trossard, who levelled the Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie in the second half following brilliance from Gabriel Jesus, felt that it was a penalty from on the field whilst pundits were split on the moment. “I haven’t seen the replay but for me, it looked like there was clear contact but I will have to wait until after to see it again,” said Trossard at full-time.
Meanwhile, Saka’s collision continued to cause a stir with those watching after his right leg smashed into Neuer’s standing foot following a neat touch to take the ball past the goalkeeper on the edge of the Bayern area. “I thought it was a penalty, I am telling you right now,” said an exasperated Ally McCoist on co-commentary.
However, after a replay, he added, “Here we see it, does he [Neuer] catch him? I’ll tell you what he does do, he [Saka] throws his foot in. He certainly catches him, but the wee fella throws his foot in. You know something, the referee might just have got that one correct because I don’t think Saka needs to throw his right leg into him.”
Arteta was coy on the incident though. “They said that they checked it and decided it was not a penalty,” he said calmly when asked about the incident by TNT Sports. He later added: “I haven’t seen it. The decision is made. We cannot change that. We could have done much better tonight.”
Tuchel, though, was less impartial. “Given the performance of the referee today, I would have not been surprised if he whistled for it,” the German said. After Bayern also appeared to be denied a penalty of their own for a surprise handball by Gabriel Magalhaes he was left deeply annoyed.
READ MORE: What Bukayo Saka did to the referee after controversial Arsenal penalty call vs Bayern Munich
READ MORE: Why Bukayo Saka Arsenal penalty was not given vs Bayern Munich after VAR controversy
“I think the referee did not have the courage today to give a deserved penalty in a bit of a crazy and awkward situation,” he explained. “But he admitted on the pitch that he saw the situation and that a quarter-final is not enough for him to give a penalty for his mistake. He admitted he knew about the mistake the player made and that is a bit frustrating.”
Gabriel appeared to handle the ball under no pressure after receiving it from David Raya inside his own area, kicking it back to is goalkeeper for a restart despite the protestations of the Bayern players. That call left Rio Ferdinand even more incensed than he was for the Saka decision – “How has that not been given? I can’t believe it with VAR and everything. I can’t believe that has not been given.”
