Arsenal fans are astonished their team failed to get a second-half penalty against Burnley after the ball clearly struck Erik Pieters' outstretched arm.
With the game at 1-1, Nicolas Pepe's ball inside the box bounced towards Pieters and was seemingly batted back down by the Burnley player's arm. The Arsenal attacker appealed vigorously for a penalty - but to no avail.
VAR even examined the decision - but "proximity" was the reason given for the lack of a spot-kick. Which seems a bit of a stretch.
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 6, 2021
On BT Sport, former Premier League referee Peter Walton, expressed his clear surprise that it wasn't a penalty - and plenty of Arsenal fans on social media were in full, fuming agreement.
There’s nothing more Arsenal than not getting the penalty when Pieters handballed twice in the box, then getting a penalty overturned by VAR when it hits his shoulder. Fuck.
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) March 6, 2021
VAR is a Sham... 😪 https://t.co/5VjYa6jBYQ
— NP! (@Omznopalava) March 6, 2021
Normally these screenshots are a lie but in this case it doesn’t get any more obvious https://t.co/VaqdJS8VRV
— ً (@JamzLndon) March 6, 2021
VAR is against us https://t.co/Im1ODk7Bb4
— J (@JordanRowes) March 6, 2021
If this isn’t handball, what is? https://t.co/3Mc09JFlZ9
— Oscar. (@FutboIOscar) March 6, 2021
One was handball, one wasn’t... pic.twitter.com/5cPO2npr3j
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) March 6, 2021
As if that wasn't eventful enough for Dutch full-back Pieters, he also blocked Pepe's shot with a goalline clearance just minutes later - only to be shown a red card for handball as a penalty was awarded for Arsenal.
But as replays showed the ball came off Pieters' shoulder, referee Andre Marriner reversed both of his decisions.
This is wild 😮
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 6, 2021
Incredible defending from Burnley's Erik Pieters on the goal line...
He's shown a red card for handball, but the decision is overturned! pic.twitter.com/mtfDP1XfeY
Pieters - and his arm and shoulder - certainly had an eventful time of it as the 1-1 draw reached a wild ending with Arsenal pressing for a late winner.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had originally put Arsenal in the lead after his shot beat Nick Pope at his near post.
However Burnley equalised in bizarre circumstances in the first half when Granit Xhaka, standing inside his own box, pinged a pass right at Chris Wood. The ball simply bounced off Wood's hip and into the net.
A disaster at the back for Arsenal results in a gift of a goal for Burnley 🎁
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 6, 2021
Chris Wood will never score an easier goal in his life! pic.twitter.com/h4jYPBebWN
Given the chances they had in the second half - including what should have probably been a penalty against Pieters - Arsenal fans will be wondering how they didn't take three points on Saturday afternoon.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-arsenal-fans-cant-believe-penalty-not-given-for-erik-pieters-handball-20210306
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