Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard has lamented referee’s decision to overlook Norway’s penalty shout during their 3-0 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 qualifying game on Saturday evening.
The Gunners’ skipper believed he should have been awarded a penalty after a very late challenge from Manchester City’s Rodri.
Spain defeated Norway 3-0 in Malaga with Dani Olmo, Joselu scoring for the home side to wrap up all three points.
Before Olmo fired the home side in front, Norway felt they were denied a clear spot-kick when Odegaard skipped past Dani Carvajal inside the box and fired off a shot only to be wiped out by Rodri.
The tackle from the Manchester City midfielder infuriated Arsenal fans as he ploughed into Odegaard’s standing foot long after the ball had gone.
But French referee Benoit Bastien did not award a foul.
Odegaard was clearly annoyed with the referee’s decision but was afraid that speaking against the referee would earn him a punishment.
“I’m pretty sure I should have had a penalty,” Odegaard told TV2 after the match.
“He’s coming with his studs right on my ankle.
“But I’m sure I’ll get punished [if I say anymore]. I don’t bother saying anything else about the referee. It’s better not to say anything.”
Odegaard has been a key member of Mikel Arteta’s Gunners who are currently eight points ahead of Manchester City in the race for the 2022-23 season’s title.
Arsenal wants to win the league for the first time since 2004 and would not receive the bad news of their skipper being injured at this point.
Manchester City and Arsenal will clash in one of the ten games remaining in the Premier League this season and could be the decider of the title race.
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