Arsenal and Bayern Munich played out a thrilling contest at The Emirates last night, with the pair drawing 2-2 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
It was a fantastic game, one that was not short on quality.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the hosts after just 12 minutes, although Bayern would level through former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry six minutes later.
The visitors would then take the lead just after the half hour mark, with Harry Kane scoring from the penalty spot.
Kane has 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 the Emirates! 😳#UCL pic.twitter.com/SA9QP0HBlw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2024
Bayern would hold that lead going into the final 15 minutes of the game, only for Leandro Trossard to secure a draw for his side.
Saka then felt he should have had a penalty deep into injury time, although it seems that the Englishman was the one that manufactured the contact in the opposition box.
People think this isn’t a penalty? imo we can’t say Elliott’s was a pen and then say this isn’t.
pic.twitter.com/z9DLZ2NOh3— Lewis (@_LewisLFC) April 10, 2024
While Arsenal fans think they should have a penalty for this incident, it seems that they were rather fortunate not to have a spot kick given against them earlier in the second half.
READ HERE: English Fans Were Blown Away By Viral Clip Of Ireland Star's Ridiculous Throw-Ins
Referee ignores clear Bayern Munich penalty vs Arsenal
At a time when Bayern Munich were leading 2-1, it seems as though they should have been awarded a second penalty of the match after a strange incident during a Arsenal goal kick.
It came around the hour mark n the game, with goalkeeper David Raya placing the ball on the six-yard box to take a goalkick. He would then roll the ball to Gabriel, who would inexplicably pick up the ball despite play having presumably resumed.
You can watch the incident below.
🚨| Gabriel Handball incident (Longer Video) pic.twitter.com/FfPhNrsUij
— Football Gossips (@FballGossips) April 9, 2024
The Bayern Munich players appealed for the penalty at the time, although the referee waived away their claims.
The incident was largely glossed over in the television coverage at the time, although it seems to be a clear penalty. Raya was clearly restarting play when rolling the ball to Gabriel and he should have been penalised for picking the ball up.
As it turns out, the referee gave a rather odd explanation at the time as to why he did not give the spotkick.
According to Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, the official seems to suggest that the mistake was so childish that it could not be punished in a game at the highest level.
"This is a horrible, horrible explanation."
Thomas Tuchel felt the referee made a huge mistake by not giving Bayern Munich a penalty against Arsenal 😤 pic.twitter.com/lClws2cpUG— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 10, 2024
I felt like a lot of little decisions against us. I felt like it was pushed from the crowd, which was a fantastic crowd.
For me, and for all of us, he did a huge mistake in not giving a [handball] penalty.
I know it's a crazy situation, but they put the ball down, he whistle, he gives the ball free and the defender takes the ball in his hand.
What makes us really angry is his explanation on the field. He told our players that it's a kid's mistake and he will not give a penalty like this in a quarter-final.
This is a horrible, horrible explanation. It means he is judging now judging handballs as a kid's mistake, adult's mistake, or whatever.
We fell angry because it's a huge decisions against us.
If that was the reasoning behind the decision, you can understand why Bayern Munich would be upset.
They will be hoping that it does not have a decisive outcome on the tie after next week's second leg between the sides.
SEE ALSO: Richie Sadlier Calls Out FAI Nonsense About Search For Next Ireland Manager
