Two contentions handball decisions. Commentators adamant that this should be a handball: http://arsenalist.com/f/2015-16/sunderland-vs-arsenal/sunderland-penalty-shout.html Thoughts? I don't want to post my opinion as to not to look biased either way
I suspect the short distance played into why Dean didn't give the penalty. It's interesting that he had a second no call at the other end. The announcers were much more forgiving of Yedlin's play.
Very short distance, not making himself bigger. From dean's position, mertesecker' hand is behind him, so I don't think he is as well sighted as the announcers are suggesting, but similarly from dean's position mertesecker didn't make himself any wider.
I say no call is correct. A reflexive, instinctual reaction to cover the head should not be considered deliberate.
Preferably I'd see both called but as handling is called atm (and with the short distance/slight deflection components) neither was likely to be called and it's not a big issue IMO. At least he was consistent. Of course as an Arsenal fan the bigger issue (one that Henry touched on in the studio) is wtf is Mertesacker doing turning away from the shot??? All our CB's have a habit of turning round to block shots so it has to be something taught in training, seems bonkers .