BREAKING: FIFA has just revealed heartbreaking news for referee Anthony Taylor, who officiated the Arsenal vs. Brighton match. The decision to award a penalty to Brighton has resulted in him losing his job.

Mikel Arteta expressed strong frustration and disbelief over a contentious penalty decision that cost Arsenal two crucial points in their 1-1 draw against Brighton. The game began on a promising note for the Gunners as young Ethan Nwaneri scored a well-executed opening goal, showcasing his talent.

However, the match turned on a controversial moment involving William Saliba, who was penalized for an alleged foul on Joao Pedro in the box. Pedro converted the resulting penalty, leaving Arteta bewildered by the referee’s decision.

The incident occurred after a clash of heads between Saliba and Pedro, with Saliba appearing to make contact with the ball. Despite this, the referee awarded a penalty, a call Arteta found inexplicable. “I’ve never seen a decision like this in my life. Saliba touches the ball,” Arteta remarked.

He further explained that the players also found the ruling unprecedented. Analyzing the play, Arteta highlighted the sequence where both players touched the ball and argued that the contact was insufficient to justify a penalty.

Arteta was particularly critical of the speed with which the decision was reviewed, asserting that it lacked the necessary scrutiny. “They said they checked it in just three seconds. For such a pivotal decision, that’s incredibly fast,” he noted. The penalty overshadowed other aspects of the game, but Arteta admitted his team did not perform to their usual high standards.

Reflecting on the match, Arteta expressed disappointment, emphasizing that the team had traveled with the intention of securing a win. “We started well, with some excellent plays and a fantastic goal, but we couldn’t sustain that level,” he said.

He acknowledged the difficulties posed by the absence of key players, stating, “It was always going to be tough, especially with the players we’ve lost recently, but we still competed.”

Arteta also criticized his side’s performance in the second half, pointing out avoidable mistakes as a key issue. “We gave away too many simple balls, which disrupted our control of the game. That was frustrating,” he explained. Despite the officiating controversy, Arteta recognized the need for improvement in his team’s overall play.

In conclusion, Arteta voiced his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision while highlighting areas where his team underperformed, stressing the importance of addressing these issues moving forward.