Exclusive: Arsenal ‘lucky’ over major Kvaratskhelia incident v PSG – Ex-FIFA ref
Keith Hackett has reacted to the decision not to award a penalty against Arsenal early in their Champions League semi final clash with PSG.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Gunners full-back Jurrien Timber was “lucky” not to concede a spot kick early on in the blockbuster clash.
Mikel Arteta‘s side welcomed the French champions to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night (29 April) for the first leg of that last four tie.
Things did not start well for Arsenal, as Ousmane Dembele put PSG 1-0 up inside the opening four minutes of the game.
However, the Gunners were lucky not to give the visitors a chance to further extend their lead before the midway point of the first half.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia penalty appeal turned down
Throughout the course of the campaign, Khvicha Khvaratskhelia has emerged as a major threat for opposition defences in the Champions League.
That was again the case here when, with around 20 minutes on the clock, the PSG winger broke into the Arsenal penalty from the left-hand side.
As he did so, Arsenal full-back Timber threw out an arm which he wrapped around the waist of the Georgian international, who then went to ground easily.
Despite the subsequent frantic appeals of the winger, Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic elected not to award the penalty, a decision that did not see VAR step in.
Hackett though, believes that Arsenal may have got away with one courtesy of that decision not to award a spot kick, after viewing several replays of the incident.
‘Arsenal fortunate as PSG denied a spot kick’ – Keith Hackett
After being asked by Football Insider PSG should have had a penalty for that challenge by Timber on Khavaratskhelia, the former referee said:
“The Arsenal defender from this alternative angle is rather fortunate that this holding was not picked up by the VAR .
“Having seen this you have to ask why the VAR did not intervene and allow the referee to view this again from this angle.
“It would have certainly have asked the question was this holding sufficient to award a penalty kick. Arsenal are lucky to have escaped a penalty kick decision.”
Having got away with that, the Gunners would grow into the game but were unable to find an equaliser as they were forced to go into the half time break 1-0 down.