Mikel Arteta insists referee Glenn Nyberg used ‘common sense’ by not punishing Gabriel’s handball against Bayern Munich… after the Brazilian was let off for making a ‘kid’s mistake’
- Mikel Arteta has praised the referee’s ‘common sense’ in the controversial handball decision
- The Arsenal boss does not want his players to sulk on the bench during the title race
- IAN LADYMAN and CHRIS SUTTON have their say on the Premier League Player of the Year – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Mikel Arteta believes the referee used ‘common sense’ by not awarding a penalty for Gabriel’s controversial handball incident in Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
In the second half of the quarter-final tie, David Raya had played a goal kick to Gabriel, who then handled the ball, seemingly unaware that it was in play.
Referee Glenn Nyberg allowed the match to continue while angry Bayern players complained.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel later accused Nyberg of admitting to passing up the incident because it was a ‘childhood mistake’.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa, Arteta said: ‘Yes, I did notice it, especially after there was a certain reaction from them (Bayern players).
Mikel Arteta praises the referee’s ‘common sense’ over the Gabriel handball incident
Gabriel clearly grabbed the ball from a goal kick, but the referee decided to take no action
Thomas Tuchel was furious at the referee’s decision not to award a penalty to Bayern Munich
‘I think the referees used the law. The law says you have to use your common sense and whether you take advantage of the situation, when there is no advantage.’
The leaders have a fully fit selection – except for Jurrien Timber, who will soon play a match behind closed doors – and have started to change their players in recent weeks.
It is a further sign that every member of the team will be important to the title challenge, but Arteta still warned he does not want any sulking players on the bench.
He said: “I want players who really want to get on the pitch to make an impact. I don’t want unhappy players on the bench.
‘I want players, if they are unhappy, to come and talk to me, understand why and try to explain it, but these situations are always the same. They must have the will to play. They can be unhappy, but race day is not the day to be unhappy.
Arteta has warned he does not want players to sulk on the bench during the title battle
He is also happy that semi-automated offside technology will be introduced next season
‘They can be mad at me, that’s fine, but they have to make it professional and not personal. My role is to make those decisions. It’s not the person I put on the bench, it’s the player.’
Asked whether he is happy that semi-automated offside technology will be introduced to the league next season, Arteta added: ‘Yes, if it is unanimous it means it will be better. It will be faster and more efficient.
“Hopefully things will get better for us.”
