Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has claimed the Gunners were unfortunate not to get a penalty against Inter Milan. Mikel Arteta's side suffered their first defeat of the Champions League campaign as Hakan Calhanoglu's spot-kick was the difference at the San Siro on Wednesday.
Summer signing Mikel Merino was penalised for a handball on the stroke of half-time after the ball struck his hand at close proximity - with the Spaniard off balance while jostling from a set-piece - with Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs pointing to the spot.
Earlier in the encounter, Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer was arguably fortunate not to be penalised for a challenge on Merino after the midfielder challenged for a cross. The former Real Sociedad man rose highest and beat Sommer to the aerial ball before he was clattered by the shot-stopper but no further action was taken.
Arsenal probed in the second-half but couldn't break down the Italian champions. Speaking about the penalty he felt his side should have been awarded after the game, Arteta said: "I don't understand [the handball decision]. There is no danger at all. You cannot react because the ball is very close. But OK. They decide that is a penalty.
"But if that is a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty 1,000%. These are the margins in this game and it's very difficult to accept.
"We were told at the start of the season that wasn't a penalty. That was clear. Today it was a different story."
Walcott was also left surprised that the official didn't award a penalty for the incident and expressed further surprise at the decision in first-half stoppage time.
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"I've got to echo what Mikel [Arteta] has said," he said speaking on Match of the Day. "First of all, 'keepers are so protected, they get that protection from the referee.
"Sommer here, [Mikel] Merino gets in a good position, comes and physically punches him.
"It's one of those where it's very unfortunate that it's not a penalty and it's one where Arsenal are unlucky not to be awarded a penalty."
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