Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has reluctantly come to terms with the decision not to grant him a penalty in Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, despite his insistence that he was indeed contacted.
The team from North London experienced only their second loss of the Premier League season at Villa Park, where John McGinn’s goal in the seventh minute made the difference.
Despite dominating significant portions of the game, especially before and after halftime, Arsenal squandered several chances to level the score.
Adding to their frustration, the Gunners believed they were on the wrong end of a couple of contentious refereeing decisions.
A penalty appeal involving Jesus was dismissed, and Kai Havertz had a goal disallowed for handball.
Douglas Luiz seemed to make contact with his fellow countryman by flicking the back of Jesus’ calf as he controlled the ball in the penalty area.
However, both the on-field referee, Jarred Gillett, and the VAR concluded that the contact was not substantial enough to merit a penalty.
Manager Mikel Arteta did not seem to share this view, stating that both decisions against his team were “clear and obvious.”
In contrast, Jesus took a more diplomatic stance when speaking to Premier League Productions afterward. “I felt a touch but I don’t know the rules so probably for them it’s no penalty.
“I cant do nothing, I felt someone touch me and anyway it’s their decision.
“I don’t know if the goal is clear handball. We don’t know we just have to accept it and focus to go again next game and then maybe we can have some better decisions.”
On his side’s performance at Villa Park, he added: “Well I feel we played better than the last game [a 4-3 victory against Luton Town].
“I think we controlled the game. I think we conceded the goal early and then the game maybe goes another way.
“We played good. They have a good team, good players, play amazing you can see it. I think we could win the game but now we focus on the next game.”
The outcome places Arsenal in the second position on the Premier League table. Liverpool has now moved ahead of them by defeating 10-man Crystal Palace.
The upcoming clash between Arsenal and Liverpool at Anfield in two weeks holds significant importance as both teams vie for position at the top of the league.