Gary Neville responds to Mikel Arteta's claims his team were 'scandalously' denied two penalties

Gary Neville has responded to Mikel Arteta’s claims that his side were scandalously denied two penalties by suggesting that it would indeed have been a scandal if Arsenal had been awarded a penalty for a handball at the death.

Arteta looked frustrated on the touchline for much of the night as Newcastle successfully frustrated his side throughout, denying them the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to 10 points as they held the hosts to a 0-0 draw. stalemate

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta was open about his frustrations – revealing to the reporter his grievances at the decisions he felt his team rejected.

Mikel Arteta was furious his side were not awarded two ‘scandalous’ penalties on Tuesday

The Arsenal boss has often protested decisions throughout the affair at the Emirates

‘Extremely proud of my players,’ he said. ‘The way we played, dominated the game, tried and continued to control the game.

‘We need the spark in the final third. We have been in many situations. And when there are two scandals punishment.

‘There are two punishments. It is very simple. I’m talking about what I saw. These are two scandalous punishments. I am proud of the work we have done.

Gary Neville disagreed with Mikel Arteta that his side were ‘scandalous’ to be denied two penalties

Arsenal players surround the referee at the death because they think they should have been awarded a penalty for handball

‘I think we lacked that extra touch or movement to finish off these chances in this game.’

However, asked to give his two cents on handball, Neville went completely the other way with the Arsenal manager and suggested he would be ‘furious’ if it was given against his side.

‘I thought it would be scandalous if it was given,’ he said.

‘If Arteta lost a game through this he would be furious. You can’t have your arms by your side when you slide.

‘That’s not a penalty – you go in like that to block a cross, that’s not a penalty in a million years. He would have been furious if that had been given against Ben White, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu or Oleksandr Zinchenko.’

Gary Neville said it would have been ‘scandalous’ if they had been awarded a spot-kick

Arteta’s plea for a death penalty seemed to annoy the Newcastle court, with Eddie Howe even stepping in to tell the Spaniard what he thought about his perceived attempts to influence the officials.

Neville said of Howe’s actions: ‘The handball at the end, Howe was right to respond to that.’

Paul Merson, who works alongside Neville, agrees. I can’t make a case [being a penalty],’ he said. ‘I am disappointed if that is given against me. I think the Burn tug is more punishment for me.’

Neville and Les Ferdinand agreed with Merson’s assessment of the Burn tug, with both admitting that Arsenal had legitimate reasons to feel aggrieved at VAR’s inaction after the Newcastle defender appeared to take several of Gabriel’s shirts in a free-kick.

Arteta was involved in a bust up with Eddie Howe over his objections late in the game

‘I think that’s a stonewall penalty,’ said Merson. ‘His fist is clenched. That’s a foul anywhere on the pitch. We have found bookings that are cheaper tonight.

‘I don’t understand how that is not clear and obvious. This is a clear punishment. He has got hold of his shirt,’ agreed the former Newcastle forward. ‘If the players collide, you can understand the referees waving it in the box. But if you hold someone’s shirt and it’s as clear as day, it’s a punishment.’

Neville added: ‘The VAR officials including Howard Webb have been told not to get involved unless you have to. Arteta has every right to be annoyed with that one. Newcastle were very lucky there. I think they (Arsenal) have every right to feel aggrieved.’

Merson went a bit further, suggesting that the lack of a penalty for the Burn tug on Gabriel was down to a lack of understanding of the game by the officials on the basis of VAR.

‘They have no understanding of the game at Stockley Park,’ he said.

‘That was very clear and obvious. Anywhere else and it’s a free-kick. We’ve seen players booked cheaper.’