PROUD AS PUNCH
Mikel Arteta launches furious rant as Arsenal star Merino ‘punched in the head’ but no penalty given in Inter defeat
Arsenal icon Martin Keown has had his say on the controversy too
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MIKEL ARTETA was left seething with the officials after Arsenal were sunk at the San Siro after a tale of TWO penalties.
The Gunners boss raged over Hakan Calhanoglu’s first half spot-kick for a controversial handball against Mikel Merino that earned Inter Milan a famous Champions League victory.
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And Arteta then argued his side deserved to have a penalty of their own “one thousand percent” after Merino was PUNCHED by Inter keeper Yann Sommer in the head.
Arteta said: “We were very harshly done. I don’t understand [Inter’s penalty]. It is a deflection. There is no danger, no reaction because it is very close to his body.
“There is nothing he can do. I don’t know how you can get away from it.
“We were told at the start of the season that was not going to be a penalty but it was a different story.
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“But if that is a penalty then when Merino is punched in the head it is one thousand percent a penalty. It is very difficult to accept that.”
Arsenal legend and TNT pundit Martin Keown said: “It was a controversial moment. Fine margins. I don't believe it was a penalty and I feel it was really harsh.
“Where are you supposed put your arm in that position? Who's made these rules? Have they played the game?
“Mikel Merino is so close and the arm has come up to go into a challenge. It is really harsh.
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Martin Keown's assessment
Here's a look at what Arsenal hero Martin Keown made of the referee's decisions...
On Yann Sommer clashing with Mikel Merino...
"You can see there is a follow-through. On another night the referee might see that as a violent act.
"He [referee Istvan Kovacs] was levelling it up and dishing it out to players, but he didn't level up on penalties.
"The one against Arsenal is really harsh."
On the penalty decision...
"It was a controversial moment. Fine margins. I don't believe it was a penalty and I feel it was really harsh.
"Where are you supposed put your arm in that position? Who's made these rules? Have they played the game?
"Mikel Merino is so close to Mehdi Taremi and the arm has come up to go into a challenge - it is really harsh.
"Merino is preparing to go with his first action and then the ball deflects."
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Merino is preparing to go with his first action and then the ball deflects.”
On Sommer’s connection with Merino, Keown added: “You can see there is a follow-through. On another night the referee might see that as a violent act.
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“He [referee Istvan Kovacs] was levelling it up and dishing it out to players, but he didn't level up on penalties.”
Arteta confirmed that Merino was taken off at half time as a result of that collision with Sommer, admitting he did not feel well before kick-off and was left “groggy”.
Arsenal have now lost three of their last six games in all competitions as their poor run continues both in the Premier League and in Europe.
They now travel to Stamford Bridge to take on in-form Chelsea on Sunday, with Kai Havertz now also a doubt after requiring stitches following a clash of heads late on against Inter.
But the visitors had their chances, attempting 20 shots, their most without scoring in a Champions League game since November 2006 against CSKA Moscow.
Arteta added: “I'm very proud of my players. If we play like we did tonight we can win at Chelsea.
“With the number of situations we created we should have scored.
"But that was more us tonight, we dominated one of the best teams in Europe in their stadium, I'm proud of them.
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“The worst thing of the night is the result, the performance, attitude, the dominance against one of the best teams in Europe, I haven’t seen it in the games I watched.
“We had many situations we could have resolved much better and scored at least two goals and we are extremely frustrated - in both boxes we did not do what we have to do."
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Arsenal player ratings v Inter Milan
TOOTHLESS Arsenal were beaten by a superb Italian job in Milan as they lost 1-0 thanks to a controversial penalty.
Here’s how the Gunners stars were rated by SunSport’s Tony Robertson.
David Raya - 6
Unfortunate with the penalty on an otherwise quiet night. Passing was below par with on three out of nine long passes finding their mark.
Ben White - 7
Dependable as ever at right back. Can't be blamed for the defeat from a defensive standpoint.
William Saliba - 7
Marshalled defence well and produced some strong passes. Three clearances and six duels won said everything about his performance.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 7
Had a slightly better time in duels than Saliba but was worse on the ball.
Jurrien Timber - 7
Had a good rapport with Martinelli down the left flank. Dependable but undone by the controversial penalty call.
Mikel Merino - 5
Difficult to see what he brings to the midfield at the moment. Clearly Arteta likes his height and strength, but not on the same wavelength as team-mates tonight. Unlucky to give away the penalty.
Thomas Partey - 6
Should have been given more licence to roam forward in the second half. But didn't look like he had the legs to do that job.
Bukayo Saka - 6
Captain for the night with Odegaard only fit for the bench. Saka was always a threat, but all too often or not chose the wrong option to go inside or out.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7
Flashes of brilliance and a thorn throughout the clash. Created four chances but team-mates were unable to help him out.
Kai Havertz - 6
Couple of flashes of brilliance, including a beautiful curled effort at goal that forced Sommer to punch clear, but needed to be a stronger force up top. Went off with a bloody head in injury time.
Leandro Trossard - 6
Buzzed around and had threatening moments. But just didn't get the ball enough in dangerous positions.
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