Mikel Arteta hits out at referee after Arsenal slip up against Everton

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left furious by the decision to award Everton a penalty that proved decisive during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

Arsenal already faced a huge uphill battle in what is left of the Premier League title race. But victory on Merseyside would have at least reduced the gap to leaders Liverpool to nine points overnight, serving as some sort of reminder that the Gunners are still just about there.

Things were going well when Leandro Trossard put them in front, before Iliman Ndiaye converted from the penalty spot for Everton early in the second half. But even with 40 minutes plus stoppage time left to go on and win it, a sluggish Arsenal couldn't muster anything more.

"I am 100% frustrated. We were very much in control of the match. We were hoping in the second half to continue the domination but out of nothing the referee decides to give a penalty," Arteta said.

"I have seen it 15 times - in my opinion it is never a penalty."

The Arsenal boss also suggested his side played into a limited Everton team's hands.

"[Everton] are very good at what they do. We gave away so many silly fouls which led to set-pieces. They generated nothing at all," the Spanish coach lamented.

Liverpool are in action against Fulham on Sunday and have the chance to increase their lead to 14 points with only seven games left to play.

For Arsenal, winning a first major trophy in five years – since Arteta delivered the FA Cup against the odds just months after being appointed – now has to realistically rest on the Champions League. But the task ahead could hardly be any tougher, as the Gunners are faced with a quarter-final against Real Madrid.

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