Martin Keown has voiced strong criticism of the European handball rule after a controversial decision led to Arsenal’s 1-0 loss against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Wednesday night. The only goal of the match came when Hakan Calhanoglu scored a penalty just before halftime, leaving Arsenal winless in away games in the Champions League this season.
The incident in question occurred after Inter sent a free-kick into Arsenal’s box. The ball was flicked on and deflected off Arsenal’s Mikel Merino’s arm. Merino was close to Inter forward Mehdi Taremi, who had barely touched the ball forward, making it difficult for Merino to react. Despite the short distance, the referee called a handball, leading to the penalty.
This decision has drawn significant criticism, with Keown, a former Arsenal defender, stating that the strict handball rule is “ruining the game.” Many fans and pundits agree, arguing that such decisions are too harsh and don’t consider how difficult it is for players to avoid hand contact at close range. The controversy has highlighted ongoing concerns about the handball rule and its impact on the fairness and flow of the game.