Arsenal receive fresh Everton penalty verdict after latest Premier League title race blow

have been handed a fresh verdict on the penalty conceded in their disappointing 1-1 draw against Everton in the on Saturday.

The Gunners' hopes of winning the title this season diminished even further midweek when Liverpool secured a narrow 1-0 victory over their Merseyside rivals at Anfield to avoid gifting 's side a route back into the race.

They then suffered an even greater setback on Saturday afternoon as they were held at Goodison Park.

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Arteta's team selection very much pointed to the fact he was prioritising next week's quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid as both and were named on the bench. However, Arsenal appeared to be on their way to a victory as fired them in front in the first half with a fantastic strike into the bottom corner.

The marginal lead was not enough for Arsenal as Everton pulled themselves back on level terms early in the second half. Lewis-Skelly was penalised for appearing to pull Jack Harrison to the ground in the box, and after a VAR check the penalty was confirmed.

Forward Iliman Ndiaye made no mistake from the spot as he slotted his penalty beyond to level the scorelines. Arsenal were ultimately left seething with the decision as they failed to restore their lead in the remaining 40 minutes of the game.

Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, former Premier League referee Mike Dean argued it was probably the right decision from Darren England to award the spot-kick, but he could see why it would be seen as soft. "There’s a bit of contact outside and there’s a little bit of contact inside [the box],” Dean said.

"I think it’s a soft one. It’s probably not wrong, but it’s a soft one."

Arteta was very much in agreement that the decision was soft and was insistent that the penalty should never have been given.

In an interview with the BBC post-match, the Gunners boss made his feelings clear and pointed out that Everton's Jake O'Brien should have been sent off for a second yellow card.

"We were in very much control of the match, we didn't concede anything at all," Arteta said. "Then we didn't deal with the direct play and out of nothing the referee decides to give a penalty.

"I've seen it 15 times and for me it's never a penalty. If that's a penalty then O'Brien should be off. Because he is on a yellow card, he stops David [Raya] playing fast and a big counter-attack. That should be a second yellow card."

Liverpool now require just 11 points from their remaining eight games to claim the Premier League title. Arne Slot's side are 11 clear as things stand and can extend their lead even further with a victory away at Fulham on Sunday afternoon.