'A kid's mistake' - were Arsenal and Bayern denied clear penalties?

[CharlieH]

 

Arsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich: Both sides controversially denied penalties in Champions League draw

 

It was honours even on a memorable night of Champions League action at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday as Arsenal's quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich ended 2-2 - but can both sides feel aggrieved at having penalty shouts go against them?

The Gunners had fought back from 2-1 down to level through substitute Leandro Trossard but, deep in stoppage time, Bukayo Saka went down under Manuel Neuer's challenge inside the box.

 

The home fans screamed for a penalty but all appeals were waved away by referee Glenn Nyberg, who blew the final whistle soon after to a chorus of boos.

"It looked like a penalty to me, it looked like clear contact," Trossard told TNT Sports.

Former Tottenham striker Harry Kane scored a penalty in the first half to put Bayern ahead, but manager Thomas Tuchel revealed after the game that he felt his side should have been awarded another spot-kick.

It related to a bizarre incident in which he felt Gabriel handled the ball after an Arsenal goal-kick had been taken.

"The referee did not have the courage today to give us a deserved penalty, in a bit of a crazy and awkward situation," he said.

"What makes us really angry is the explanation on the field. He told our players that it's a kid's mistake and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final."

So who should feel the most aggrieved?

 

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'Disbelief' Arsenal did not get a penalty

Deep in stoppage time, Saka looked set to win the quarter-final first leg in dramatic fashion as he raced into the box and sidestepped the onrushing Neuer, but he went down after contact with the Bayern Munich goalkeeper's right leg.

 

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