The decisive moment of the match came seconds before half-time, when a penalty was awarded after a Mehdi Taremi corner hit Merino on the hand.
It was a decision that perhaps would not have been awarded in the Premier League as referees stopped awarding “soft penalties” from this season.
“In our approach to handball, there is just a slight change and adjustment in the direction we are going to take,” former referee Kevin Friend revealed before the season., external
“Last season we saw some soft penalties in handball. “So basically we are looking for examples where he clearly hits the arm in an unjustified manner, with his hands above his head or away from his body to deliberately block the ball entering the area or entering the goal.”
This differs from the rules of UEFA competitions, and that variation left experts frustrated on Wednesday.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown said on TNT Sports: “Is the arm in an unnatural position? It’s not. We’re having that debate again and it’s ruining the game.”
“It’s fine margins, I don’t think it’s a penalty. The unnatural rule, who makes those rules? Have they played the game?”
Former Gunners defender Matt Upson added on BBC Radio 5 live: “It bothers me the way they apply that law in Europe.
“We are way ahead of that in the Premier League, the referees understand the proximity, the speed of the ball and all those things are tick, tick.
“It’s just a little common sense.”
Regarding the incident between Merino and Sommer at the other end of the pitch, former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott told Match of the Day: “Merino is in a good position and [Yann] Sommer comes and physically hits him.
“It’s very unfortunate not to get the penalty and Arsenal were a bit unlucky.”
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