Penalties not awarded to Arsenal v Newcastle : Ex-Super Eagles star defends referee

Former Super Eagles left-back, Ifeanyi Udeze, has weighed in on the penalty appeals by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, in Arsenal's goalless draw against Newcastle United at the Emirates stadium on Tuesday night. 

The Premier League leaders were looking to go 10 points clear of current champions Manchester City but met strong resistance from the Toons whose defensive strategy stifled Arsenal.

However, Arteta was left fuming after the match for the refusal of referee Andy Madley to issue two penalties in the course of the game which he called "scandalous" during his post match reaction. 

Udeze who played in the English Premier League for West Brom spoke on Brila FM, Lagos on Wednesday morning on the penalty calls. 

"In my opinion, the penalties that Mikel Arteta complained about were not legitimate penalties. 

"We could see that the defender had his hand in a natural position. If he had an outstretched hand, that would have been different. 

"The rules of the game have changed. Some years ago, that would pass as penalty. 

"For the second one, perhaps the referee felt that it wasn't sufficient enough to be given. It's left for the VAR officials to call his attention to it. 

"Almost every club have benefited from questionable officiating at some point," Udeze posited. 

Despite the two points dropped, Arsenal are still eight points above City who will face Chelsea on Thursday night with the Gunners hoping that West Londoners Chelsea will claim a win to strengthen their stronghold at the top of the table.

Arsenal's next Premier League game is against North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur but they have an FA Cup fixture against Oxford United on Monday to play before the next big test. 

 Izuchukwu Michael

Photo Credit : premierleague.com

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