Arsenal have penalty appeal rejected in draw at Forest

SourceBBC

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Arsenal had a penalty appeal turned down as they missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points in a frustrating draw at Nottingham Forest.

With 10 minutes left at the City Ground, the Gunners claimed for a spot-kick when Ola Aina brushed the ball with his arm as he and team-mate Elliot Anderson tried to clear.

But referee Michael Oliver gave nothing – and the video assistant referee ruled the ball had hit Aina’s shoulder first, while his arm was in a natural position.

The Gunners still ended Saturday seven points clear at the summit after second-placed Manchester City were beaten at Manchester United. Aston Villa – in third – play on Sunday.

Both Forest and Arsenal struggled to create much in the first half – with neither side able to get a shot on target. The best chance fell to Gabriel Martinelli, who poked the ball wide from inside the six-yard box.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who had made three changes to his starting XI, introduced Bukayo Saka as a second-half substitute and Forest keeper Matz Sels had to produce an excellent save to keep out a header from the England winger.

It was a valuable point for Forest, who had their gap to the relegation zone cut to four before kick-off by West Ham’s last-gasp victory at Tottenham Hotspur.