Mike Dean gives honest verdict on Arsenal penalty controversy after costly Everton draw

Arsenal will feel they were unfortunate to concede a penalty against Everton after Myles Lewis-Skelly was adjudged to have fouled Jack Harrison during their 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday

Mike Dean believes Everton’s penalty against Arsenal was “soft” – but still believes it was the right decision

Mike Dean has admitted Everton’s decisive penalty against Arsenal on Saturday was “soft” after Iliman Ndiaye netted from the spot to secure a 1-1 draw on Saturday. Arsenal dropped points in their final game at Goodison Park to hand the advantage to Liverpool in the Premier League title race after Ndiaye’s second half strike cancelled out Leandro Trossard’s opener in the first half.

But Arsenal will feel hard done by after complaining that Everton’s penalty should never have been given after Myles Lewis-Skelly was adjudged to have brought down Jack Harrison.

Mike Dean launches furious VAR rant as he slams Liverpool vs Everton red card controversy

The Gunners, who made five changes from the side that beat Fulham, still struggled to open up a stubborn Toffees side for the remainder of the game as they finished with 14 shots, with five of those on target.

However, although the team weren’t at their best, manager Mikel Arteta was fuming with the decision to award a penalty to Everton, insisting there was “no way” it was a spot kick.

But former Premier League referee feels officials ultimately reached the correct decision – even though the call to penalise Lewis-Skelly was a “soft” one.

“There’s a bit of contact outside and there’s a little bit of contact inside,” he told Sky Sports News. “I think it’s a soft one. It’s probably not wrong, but it’s a soft one.”

Arteta was seething in his post-match interview and made his feelings clear on the penalty, saying he couldn’t understand why the referee hadn’t given it.

“We were in very much control of the match, we didn’t concede anything at all. Then we didn’t deal with the direct play and out of nothing the referee decides to give a penalty,” the Gunners boss told BBC Sport.

“I’ve seen it 15 times and for me it’s never a penalty. If that’s a penalty then O’Brien should be off. Because he is on a yellow card, he stops David [Raya] playing fast and a big counter-attack. That should be a second yellow card.

“They are very good at what they do. They are looking to create chaos. We gave so many silly fouls away which leads to a set-piece. You have to win the game, that’s unfortunate. We have no margin that’s so clear.”

Arsenal are now 11 points behind Liverpool having played a game more, with Liverpool set to play Fulham away tomorrow.

Arne Slot’s men have a chance to extend their lead to 14 points and know they are likely to be champions when Arsenal arrive at Anfield for their clash on May 11.

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