In a thrilling Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw, but it was the referee's controversial decisions that stole the spotlight. Glenn Nyberg, the Swedish referee in charge, found himself at the center of a debate surrounding two potential penalty incidents that could have changed the outcome of the game.

The first incident occurred in the final minute of the match when Arsenal's Bukayo Saka was brought down by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer inside the box. The decision not to award a penalty left many in "disbelief," including pundit Rio Ferdinand. However, Arsenal legend Ian Wright supported the referee's call, sparking a heated debate among fans and experts.

While the Saka incident dominated the post-match discussions, there was another penalty decision that went unnoticed during the game. In the 67th minute, with Bayern leading 2-1, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya played a short pass to his defender Gabriel, who inadvertently handled the ball inside the six-yard box. Despite Bayern attackers Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala's appeals, Nyberg waved away their claims and play continued.

Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel criticized the referee for lacking the "courage" to award his team a penalty in that situation. Thomas Muller, a Bayern forward, also expressed his frustration, stating that the penalty should have been given, even though he understood the referee's perspective.

The rules of handball used by UEFA clearly state that Gabriel's action should have resulted in a penalty, as he deliberately touched the ball with his hand while the play was live. However, FIFA match official Christina Unkel argued that common sense should prevail in such cases and that the honest mistake made by Gabriel, which did not give any advantage to Bayern, should not have been punished.

The debate surrounding the referee's decisions reflects the conflicting interpretations of the rules and the importance of applying common sense in certain situations. Despite the frustrations of Bayern, they have chosen not to appeal the decisions to UEFA.

Nyberg's handling of the game drew mixed reviews, with some criticizing his inexperience in handling high-pressure knockout matches. This was his first Champions League knockout match, having previously officiated six group-stage ties. However, Nyberg had demonstrated his calmness and communication skills in previous games, preferring to engage in dialogue with players.

Ultimately, the exciting football played on the pitch should have been the talking point of the match, but controversial refereeing decisions have once again taken center stage in a high-profile Champions League clash.