Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium in the first leg tie of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
The Gunners fought hard to secure a 2-2 draw against the German powerhouse as Bukayo Saka, Serge Gnabry, Harry Kane, and Leandro Trossard all appeared on the scoresheet.
It was a game full of drama and intense pressure as both sides were looking for a win but the Premier League leaders had to settle for a draw leaving them with a lot of work to do in the return leg.
However, at the last minute of the game, Bukayo Saka was denied a late penalty that has caused controversial debate among football pundits.
What happened?
Arsenal were denied a last-minute penalty against Bayern Munich after Bukayo Saka went down following a slight contact with the visitor’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The Gunners were looking to take a 3-2 lead into the second leg of the quarter-final tie and felt they were unfortunate not to have a spot kick to end the game.
The center Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg initially felt that Saka had been fouled after he took a touch inside the Bayern area and hit Neuer whilst running to collect the ball, but shifted his opinion after seeing a replay.
After the referee blew the final whistle, Saka got back to his feet and confronted him. The winger ran up to the Swedish referee to complain and he pointed to his leg that made contact with Neuer.
Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg was quick to notice the scene and pushed Saka away, who then waved his arms around in frustration.
Arsenal players were annoyed by the call at full-time with several players surrounding the referee.
The decision was initially believed to have been reviewed by VAR with the referee appearing to tell the players that it had been checked.
However, debating the decision on BBC Sports, the punditry team threw the referee’s claims into doubt, questioning whether the officials had properly investigated the incident.
Speaking afterwards, Martin Keown was shocked that the decision did not go in his former side’s favour. He said; “I find it quite alarming he has not given that penalty”.
Former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand also said; “Manuel Neuer leaves his leg out, it has to be a penalty, they (VAR) had to send him (the referee) to look at it, it’s such a big decision in a game like this, there is so much riding on it.”
In response to the argument, former Arsenal player, Ian Wright took to X (formally Twitter) to air his point of view, he wrote; “Not a pen for me, work to do in Munich”.
What’s next for Arsenal?
The Gunners will be back in action when they host Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday, April 14, at 4:30 WAT.
