“I prefer not to speak because if I do, I’ll be in trouble and the whole team as well”- Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta delivers BRUTAL five-words verdict after Antony Taylor said it to his face that he won’t award Gabriel Jesus his last minute winner
‘I prefer’ – Mikel Arteta delivers five-word verdict on controversial Arsenal vs Liverpool incident
Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta refused to comment when asked if Arsenal were denied a winning goal against Liverpool.
The Premier League title hopefuls had to settle for a share of the spoils as they played out a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal twice went in front through Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino but the visitors hit back on each occasion as Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah found the target.
But in stoppage-time, Gabriel Jesus put the ball in the back of the net for the Gunners but referee Anthony Taylor disallowed it for a foul committed by Kai Havertz. Arteta was asked about the incident at his post-match press conference but was tight-lipped. The Arsenal boss replied: “I prefer not to comment.”
Then when asked if he will look for answers on why the decision was not given, Arteta said: “I’m sure I will have the clarity or a letter. I don’t know.”
On Arsenal’s performance, Arteta commented: “Very proud of the team, especially with the situation we are going through at the moment – probably you cannot imagine. I think in the first half it was total domination, we were really good, really dominant, really efficient and the result probably should have been bigger.”
Just as it seemed the visitors were more likely to snatch a win, a late flurry saw the hosts push hardest and the ball was actually in the back of the net on 90 minutes. Gabriel Jesus poked in with the goal unguarded after Kai Havertz lobbed Caoimhin Kelleher, though it did not stand the scoreline remained 2-2.
This is because referee Taylor had already blown for a foul committed by Jakub Kiwior on Dominik Szoboszlai. The Poland international had jumped onto the Liverpool midfielder to win the header that then fell to the feet of Havertz. As this intervention was made, VAR was then unable to get involved as it was out of their remit.
“It’s more of a soft foul if anything, to be fair he’s just penalised the Arsenal player,” ex-referee Dean said in response on Sky Sports.
It’s probably a 50:50 call, for me,” he added, before ultimate praising his fellow official: “He’s had a good game the referee, so I can’t criticise him for that to be honest with you.”
The home side were clearly frustrated – perhaps directly with this costly decision – as a number of them approached Taylor and his assistants once the final whistle had been blown. Jesus was shown a yellow card for his protestations.
