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Mikel Arteta believes that the referee used ‘common sense’ in not awarding a penalty for the controversial Gabriel handball incident in Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
In the second half of the quarter-final first leg tie, David Raya had played a goal-kick to Gabriel who then handled the ball, seemingly unaware that it was in play.
Referee Glenn Nyberg let the match continue while furious Bayern players complained.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel later accused Nyberg of admitting to letting the incident slide because it was a ‘kid’s mistake’.
Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa, Arteta said: ‘Yes, I did notice it, especially after when there was a certain reaction from them (Bayern players).
‘I think the referees used the law. The law says to use common sense and whether you take an advantage from that situation, which there isn’t an advantage.’
The league leaders have a fully fit squad – bar Jurrien Timber, who is set to feature in a behind-closed-doors match soon – and have turned to rotating their players in recent weeks.
It’s a further sign of how every squad member will be important for the title run-in, yet Arteta warned that he does not want sulking players on the bench.
He said: ‘I want players that are very happy to come on the field to make an impact. Unhappy players on the bench, I don’t want.
‘I want players that if they are unhappy, to come and talk to me and understand why and try to explain, but these situations are always the same. They have to have the will to play. They can be unhappy but on matchday, it is not the day to be unhappy.
‘They can be angry at me, that’s fine, but they have to make it professional not personal. It’s my role to make those decisions. It’s not the person I am putting on the bench, it is the player.’
On whether he is happy that semi-automated offside technology will be introduced to the league next season, Arteta added: ‘Yes, if it’s unanimous that means it’s going to be better. It’s going to be faster and more efficient.
‘Hopefully it’s going to be better for us.’
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
