Mikel Arteta flabbergasted by 'bizarre' Brighton penalty call after Arsenal held

Mikel Arteta said "I've never seen a decision like this in my career" after Arsenal's Premier League title challenge was dealt a blow by a debatable penalty award in a 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Seagulls striker Joao Pedro equalised from the spot in the second half at the Amex Stadium, having been felled by an unintentional headbutt from William Saliba.

The second-placed Gunners had been on course to cut the gap on leaders Liverpool to three points following an early opener from 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.

"(It's) a decision that is very, very disappointing," said Arsenal boss Arteta, who termed the ruling "bizarre" during an interview with BBC Radio 5Live.

"I've never seen a decision like this in my career. I asked the boys if they have, and nobody has seen it before.

"When you look at the incident, the distance, and the player Joao touching the ball, then Saliba touching the ball, you can see contact there."

Stand-in Brighton captain Pedro beat Saliba to the ball in the air after his first touch caused it to loop up inside Arsenal's 18-yard box.

The ball subsequently brushed the top of the Arsenal defender's head before he caught his opponent.

Arteta claimed VAR quickly backed the on-field decision of referee Anthony Taylor, allowing Pedro to send David Raya the wrong way from 12 yards in the 61st minute.

"I checked and, after three seconds, they said they already checked," Arteta said of VAR. "It seems quick. I asked Anthony (after the match) and he said we'll have a look at it."

The result leaves Arsenal five points adrift of Arne Slot's table-topping Reds, having played two games more.

While Arteta was unhappy about a key decision in the match, he conceded his side's performance dropped off as the game wore on.

"It's a really tough