Arsenal face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as they look to stretch their lead at the summit
13:25, 11 Apr 2026Updated 13:35, 11 Apr 2026
Bournemouth's Ryan Christie gave away a penalty for handball
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Bournemouth's Ryan Christie gave away a penalty for handball
Arsenal have received a verdict from the Premier League over why they were awarded a penalty during Saturday's clash against Bournemouth. The Gunners found themselves 1-0 down through a 17th-minute goal from Junior Kroupi.
But Mikel Arteta's team were then handed a lifeline in the 34th minute. Referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty after adjudging that Cherries Forward Ryan Christie had committed a handball offence.
That spot-kick was slotted away by Viktor Gyokeres, and the Premier League's official match centre account have now confirmed why the penalty decision was made.
It said: "The referee’s call of penalty for handball was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Christie’s arm was raised away from his body."
Arsenal will move 12 points clear at the summit if they claim all three points against Bournemouth. That is because second-placed Manchester City travel to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon (4:30pm BST).
And Arteta urged his team pre-match to pile pressure on Pep Guardiola's team by claiming all three points against Andoni Iraola's men.
He said: "The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us.
"The players know it, our supporters know it, it's early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, as you say in England, and let's go all together for it because it has to be a big day."
The Gunners are chasing a first Premier League title in 22 years as well as their first Champions League crown. And Arteta is convinced his team can win both.
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He added: "First of all, the capacity we have as a club and as a team, the will to win," Arteta said to explain his belief.
"We recognise the opportunity ahead and we are going to do our best to achieve it."
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