Danny Murphy has described it as "absolutely ridiculous" that Aston Villa were not awarded a penalty in the closing stages of the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal yesterday (Sunday).
The visitors were denied a penalty amid appeals from the Villa players, after Conor Hourihane's shot was blocked by Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the box.
The ball appeared to strike the arm of the Greek defender, with the Aston Villa players calling for a penalty, only for referee Jon Moss to wave away the protests.
The decision stood, with VAR not overturning the decision, much to the frustration of the visitors, who trailed 3-2 at the time after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had put the ten-man hosts into the lead.
But the pundits on BBC programme Match of the Day 2 were in agreement that Villa should have been given a spot kick.
“This is as blatant as I’ve seen for a handball that’s not been overturned," said Murphy.
"It’s an obvious movement, it’s eight yards away which isn’t close, an obvious movement of his arm away from his body. It’s absolutely ridiculous how anybody cannot see that it’s a penalty.
“Is it a case of whoever is at Stockley Park feels he is undermining the more senior referee on the pitch? He’s not really because he’s helping him.”
Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer shared the same opinion as the ex-Liverpool midfielder, adding that the Arsenal defender should have been penalised.
“I agree. He puts his arm out towards the ball, it’s not behind him, he’s not tried to get it out of the way," he said.
"You can see it clearly, he’s actually leaning out there to push his arm towards it.”
