Arsenal were the victims of two controversial refereeing decisions during Wednesday night’s Champions League showdown with Italian giants Inter Milan.
The Gunners travelled to Italy looking to take a huge step towards qualification for the next round – after winning two of their first three games of the league phase.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men found themselves 1-0 down at half-time after referee Istvan Kovacs awarded Inter a penalty for handball. Hakan Calhanoglu’s free-kick into the box deflected off Mehdi Taremii – and on to the hand of summer signing Mikel Merino.
Despite the midfielder’s arm seemingly in a natural position, VAR stuck with the on-field decision and Calhanoglu fired down the middle to put the home team ahead.
Inter’s opener came shortly after Arsenal were denied a spot-kick themselves. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer wiped Merino out in the air as the Spaniard contested a delivery into the box.
