Mikel Arteta slams Everton penalty decision in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw

Arsenal boss criticizes VAR call as Iliman Ndiaye’s spot-kick costs Gunners vital points.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (center left) tries to pull his players away from referee Darren England (right) after the final whistle during the Premier League match at Goodison Park in Liverpool on April 5, 2025. Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Mikel Arteta slams Everton penalty decision after a contentious moment in Arsenal's Premier League clash at Goodison Park led to dropped points for the Gunners. The match ended 1-1, and Arteta, clearly frustrated, made his feelings known in the post-match interview.

"Having seen the replay 15 times, what happened, in my opinion, was not even remotely a penalty," the Arsenal manager said, quoted on the club’s official website. His comments came just moments after Arsenal had surrendered their lead following a spot-kick scored by Iliman Ndiaye.

The controversial penalty came less than a minute into the second half, when a duel between Arsenal’s young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly and Everton winger Jack Harrison resulted in referee Darren England pointing to the spot. While Harrison went down under minimal contact, VAR upheld the decision after consultation between England and video assistant referee Stuart Attwell.

Arteta’s frustration stemmed not only from the penalty being given, but also from the lack of consistency in the decision-making process. “If it was really a penalty, then Jake O’Brien should have been sent off earlier. Everton should have played with 10 men. That’s clear,” he added.

The controversial moment that changed the game

The incident that sparked the debate took place just after the break. Lewis-Skelly attempted to block Harrison from chasing a long ball by using his arm and shoulder. As both players jostled for position, Lewis-Skelly stumbled, and his fall resulted in him clipping Harrison’s heel just inside the area.

The contact looked minimal and accidental, and yet the referee deemed it sufficient for a penalty. Jorginho, visibly angry, was booked for protesting the decision.

Everton, trailing 1-0 at the time, were handed a golden opportunity to level the match. Ndiaye stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way. Goodison Park erupted with noise as the Toffees equalized in front of their loyal fans.

From that moment, the momentum shifted. Arsenal, despite a strong first-half performance, were rattled.

Arsenal’s early dominance and wasted chances

Before the equalizer, Arsenal had taken the lead in the 38th minute through Leandro Trossard. The Belgian winger was quick to pounce after a defensive lapse allowed Raheem Sterling to thread a pass into the box. Trossard controlled the ball and fired it past Jordan Pickford from a tight angle, giving the Gunners a deserved advantage going into half-time.

Throughout the first half, Arsenal had maintained pressure with several corners and chances. Declan Rice and Martinelli both came close, but Pickford, who had a brilliant evening, stood firm between the posts.

In the second half, after conceding the penalty, Arsenal brought on fresh legs including Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard to regain control. Despite their efforts, Everton’s defense stayed resolute, and Pickford continued to make crucial saves — especially from Rice’s free-kick and Martinelli’s curling shot.

Arteta noted that while the penalty decision hurt, his team had their chances. “We had two big chances to seal the win but we didn’t take them, so we have to take a point,” he admitted.

What this means for Arsenal’s title race

The draw leaves Arsenal in second place in the Premier League standings, but they now trail leaders Liverpool by 11 points. With only a handful of matches left in the season, the Gunners face an uphill battle to reclaim top spot.

“We’ve dropped points at a crucial time,” said Arteta. “It’s frustrating, especially when the decision is out of our hands. We need to regroup and focus on what we can control.”

Arsenal’s title challenge now hinges not only on their own performances but also on Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points — a situation that puts more pressure on every upcoming match.

Everton’s resilience and growing confidence

On the other side, Everton showed grit and determination. Despite limited possession and being under pressure for most of the match, the Toffees stayed compact and took their opportunity when it came. Ndiaye’s composure from the spot, combined with Pickford’s heroic saves, ensured a valuable point for the home side.

The result also highlights Everton’s relative strength at Goodison Park. The Merseyside club has now earned points in several key home matches, including a 2-2 draw with Liverpool earlier this year.

Iliman Ndiaye, whose goal brought Everton level, expressed pride in the team’s fight. “Every time we play here, we want to give everything,” he said after the match. With Goodison Park hosting only three more Premier League matches before Everton move to their new home, every point feels even more meaningful.

For Arsenal, the road ahead is filled with must-win games. Arteta will have to rally his squad and maintain belief, especially with fixtures against top-six rivals looming. The manager knows that any more dropped points could spell the end of their title dreams.

Everton, meanwhile, will be buoyed by the result. Sitting in 14th place, they are slowly edging away from the relegation zone and may yet finish the season on a high. With three home games remaining, including one against Manchester City, they will look to continue building momentum.

As for the penalty controversy, it’s likely to spark further debate over VAR’s role in modern football. Arteta’s comments reflect a broader frustration among managers and fans alike — a sense that, despite technology, clarity and consistency remain elusive.

For now, the Premier League title race continues — and so does the drama.