Ref Watch: Arsenal denied ‘nailed on’ penalty as controversial Soares footage analysed
Arsenal should have had a penalty in their 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday (19 February) when Yoane Wissa appeared to block a shot with his arm.
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the controversial first-half incident.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Wissa launched himself into blocking a Cedric Soares shot.
His arms were above his head as he stretched and the ball appeared to strike his elbow.
The Arsenal players, led by Soares, demanded a penalty from referee Jon Moss who refused to point to the spot.
He was backed up by VAR operator Lee Mason who did not judge it to be a clear and obvious error and Arsenal were given a corner.
“The handball in particular was not good,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“This was the one where he slid on the floor and he made his body shape bigger so they should have had a penalty.
“His hand was raised, it hit the elbow, that’s a penalty kick, for me. That was nailed on.
“He blocked it with a raised arm, that’s a penalty.”
Arsenal were not left to rue the decision as goals from Hale End graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe secured the three points.
It was their first Premier League win of the calendar year but they remain within touching distance of the top-four.
If they win the three games in hand they have over Man United they will go five points above them.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has dropped a £63million Arsenal reveal as Stan Kroenke’s plan is revealed.