Never in my life - Mikel Arteta livid with Saliba decision that cost Arsenal at Brighton

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has expressed his disappointment after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion. 

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The Gunners, who had been hoping to maintain their momentum in the Premier League title race, were left frustrated after a controversial penalty decision and a below-par performance.

The North London side took the lead through Ethan Nwaneri in the 16th minute but were pegged back by Joao Pedro just after the hour mark.

Arteta admitted his disappointment at failing to secure all three points, highlighting that the London side had started the game well and scored a good goal. 

However, he acknowledged that his team were not at their best and struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match.

The Arsenal manager also expressed his frustration with the penalty decision that allowed Brighton to equalise. 

"We’re very disappointed with the penalty and the way it was given,” said Arteta. “I’ve never seen that in my life, and Saliba touches the ball so it’s never a penalty for me.”

Arteta attributed some of Arsenal's struggles to fatigue, with the team playing every three days. 

The Spaniard highlighted the need for his players to execute the basics consistently, something they failed to do against Brighton.

“We’re playing every three days as well, and today we lost too many simple things,” he continued. “Doing the simple things, we have to do them right, and today wasn’t to those standards."

The draw leaves Arsenal five points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand. 

Arteta will be hoping for a Premier League response from his team when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on January 15. 

Before the derby, Arsenal play Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg on January 7 and Manchester United five days later in the FA Cup.