NOTTINGHAM, UK: Mikel Arteta claimed Arsenal were denied a “clear penalty” in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday as the Gunners edged seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Forest survived a VAR review in the closing stages when the ball seemed to brush the arm of defender Ola Aina.
Arsenal remain well on course to end a 22-year wait to win the title, but have failed to take full advantage of Manchester City’s poor form in 2026 by dropping four points in their last two league games.
“Obviously disappointed because we want the points,” said Arteta.
“We haven’t conceded a single shot, we created four big chances, and on top of that, there is a clear penalty that has not been given.
“It is true he (Aina) plays it with his shoulder, but then he brings the arm in to keep the ball inside the pitch, so it is a clear penalty.”
A struggle to create openings and take their chances when they come has been a consistent problem for Arteta’s men this season, despite their dominant position in the table.
“We could’ve been better, but as well, this is happening all around the league for every single team,” added the Spaniard.
“We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances, you have to put them away.”
Forest boss Sean Dyche had a very different view on the Aina incident.
“You may as well cancel football if you’re going to give that,” said Dyche, whose side edged five points clear of the relegation zone.
Arteta angry as Arsenal denied penalty in Forest stalemate
https://arab.news/9w3tp
Arteta angry as Arsenal denied penalty in Forest stalemate
- Forest survived a VAR review in the closing stages when the ball seemed to brush the arm of defender Ola Aina
- Arsenal remain well on course to end a 22-year wait to win the title
Home track advantage for Ameerat Alzamaan in the world’s richest race
- 2025 Fillies Mile winner looking to take her chance on Saudi Cup weekend
RIYADH: Saudi Arabian trainer, Sami Alharabi believes home track advantage could play to the strengths of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz’s runner, Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) in the Group 1 $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.
The brilliant Red Stable filly, a daughter of Ghaiyyath, has been a local success story winning six of her eight career starts including the 1,000 Guineas and then the Fillies Mile on The Saudi Cup undercard 12 months ago.
“I have been very pleased with her condition and believe she is in much better shape now than she was previously, showing clear improvement,” said Alharabi.
“My confidence comes from the noticeable development I see in her daily training, which gives me strong belief in her progression.
“It is very exciting to have a runner in The Saudi Cup and I place my trust in God for the filly to deliver a positive result.”
The four-year-old was supplemented into the Saudi Cup after missing out on an automatic entry when finding only the reopposing Mhally (GB) too strong in the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup last month.
“I thought her performance in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was very good. It was a successful test for her, especially competing against seasoned and high-quality horses,” added the trainer.
She will race over 1,800 meters on Saturday, and Alharabi believes she will relish the longer distance: “The filly is versatile but I believe her ideal trip is between 1,800 meters and 2,000 meters, which suits her better than 1,600 meters.
“The Japanese horse, Forever Young, is the strongest and most dangerous rival and I anticipate a highly-competitive race, but the filly’s proven record at the track and her liking for the surface could work to her advantage and she will give a good account of herself.”
A jockey has yet to be selected, with Alharabi hoping for gates six or seven at Wednesday’s draw ceremony.
