Sean Dyche says ‘you might as well cancel football’ if Arsenal had been given late penalty as Martin Keown and Steven Gerrard clash over decision

After Gabriel Jesus failed to control a cross, Aina and Elliott Anderson battled to keep the bouncing ball in play.

“I think if these start getting given, we have got to all leave it. It is ridiculous. I think it would have been ridiculous to give that. We have got to be careful,” Dyche told TNT Sports.

“You might as well cancel football if you are going to give that.”

‘What is he doing?’ – Aina survives VAR penalty check for handball

Video credit: TNT Sports

Pressed by TNT Sports pundit and former Arsenal stalwart Martin Keown, Dyche hit back: “In all seriousness, in your day, would you have accepted that?

“No, I do not think so… the rules have to be careful.”

The reprieve meant Forest claimed a valuable point to keep clear breathing space between them and West Ham United in the relegation zone, who beat Tottenham Hotspur earlier.

Arteta was visibly frustrated after the final whistle and while he accepted the blame for the dropped points lay partially on his players and Forest’s dogged defending, Arteta was clearly unhappy with the VAR decision.

“We came here to win the game, but we have not managed to do that, so credit must go to them (Forest),” he told TNT Sports. “They are organised, but we had four big chances.

“Martinelli had the open goal, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka… you have to find the margin to win the game because again we have not conceded a single shot on target. We are disappointed not to win it.

Arteta brands Aina VAR incident ‘a clear penalty’

Video credit: TNT Sports

“We had a clear penalty, we should not forget.

“It was a clear penalty inside the box that was not given. Those are the margins. I saw it live, I saw it here, and I saw it again. It is very unnecessary but he brings the ball in with the hand, so it is a clear penalty.”

Keown and Gerrard clash over Arsenal penalty decision

The draw opens the door for Aston Villa to close to four points behind The Gunners if they can beat Everton at home tomorrow.

The decision that sealed the draw caused a lively debate between TNT Sports pundits Keown and Steven Gerrard after the full-time whistle.

“We are asking for the right decisions, it is not about a high bar. I think Forest are lucky,” said Keown.

“I think this one will split opinion,” Gerrard said. “I think his body action is natural as it comes towards the ball, as he has got to turn into the pitch.

“Arsenal will feel hard done by that the referee has not at least had the chance to come towards the screen, but I do not think it is a clear and obvious mistake from the referee in the first place, because we have seen it in slow motion and it looks a lot worse than in real time.

Keown said: “I think they are two separate things. There is enough of a gap between the ball hitting his shoulder, and then he seems to cup the ball. He seems to move his arm around. I would have liked the referee to have gone and had a look to see what he thought.

Gerrard responded: “Course you would, you are an Arsenal fan! We know that, Martin.

“We will be going to the screen a lot more than we already are though for situations like that, ricochets, motions where your body is going towards it, I think we will be giving a lot more penalties.

“I think it would have been a bit soft and unfair on Forest in my opinion, but I can understand why Mikel Arteta is frustrated. There is definitely a shout there, but I do not think it is clear as Martin and Mikel Arteta are saying, I do not think it is blatant and clear.

“You have got to be careful you are not clutching at straws as that is not the reason Arsenal did not get maximum points today. It is because they were very wasteful in the first half and the Forest keeper then makes a world-class save.”