Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has joined the chorus of disapproval regarding the penalty decision in the recent Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur match. In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, McAvennie expressed his confusion and disappointment with the controversial call.

The incident in question occurred just minutes into the second half of the highly anticipated North London derby. Arsenal’s Ben White unleashed a shot that appeared to strike the arm of Tottenham’s Cristian Romero from extremely close range. After a prolonged VAR check, referee Robert Jones pointed to the spot, awarding Arsenal a penalty, which Bukayo Saka successfully converted to give the Gunners a 2-1 lead.

However, this decision left many fans, players, and pundits scratching their heads. Even Spurs’ manager, Ange Postecoglou, voiced his bewilderment, stating that he had “no idea” what the handball rule entailed after conceding the penalty.

McAvennie, in agreement with the widespread sentiment, questioned the fairness of penalizing Romero for the handball. He mentioned that initially, it seemed like the ball had struck an Arsenal player’s hand before hitting Romero’s arm. The lengthy deliberation and ultimate decision to award the penalty left fans and experts bewildered.

The former striker emphasized that player reactions on the field can often provide valuable insights into the legitimacy of penalty claims. When only one or two players protest, it might not warrant a penalty, but when a collective outcry ensues, it suggests a stronger case. In this instance, numerous players from both sides expressed their disbelief at the decision.

McAvennie’s comments are part of a broader discussion surrounding the consistency and interpretation of handball decisions in football. The incident has ignited fresh debate about the subjectivity of these calls and the need for clearer guidelines to prevent controversial decisions like this in the future.

While Arsenal ultimately secured a draw thanks to Heung-min Son’s equalizer, the penalty incident remains a topic of contention and debate in the footballing world.