Controversy Erupts Over Aina's Handball Incident in Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest Match

The recent Premier League match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest has ignited controversy over a handball incident involving defender Ola Aina. Despite VAR's decision not to award a penalty, Aina's social media post referencing WWE's Eddie Guerrero has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett argue that a penalty should have been given, while Nottingham Forest's Sean Dyche defends the officials. This incident raises questions about the consistency of VAR decisions in football.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 20, 2026, 16:01 IST

Aina's Controversial Handball Decision

Ola Aina, a defender for Nottingham Forest, has become the focus of a heated debate following a goalless match against Arsenal in the Premier League. The controversy arose when Aina seemingly used his arm to keep the ball in play, yet VAR decided not to award a penalty to Arsenal.

Officials clarified that Aina's arm was in a natural position and that the ball made contact with his shoulder first, which led to the decision against a penalty. However, Aina later stirred the pot by sharing a post featuring WWE icon Eddie Guerrero, along with the infamous phrase, 'I lie, I cheat, I steal.' He accompanied the image with a message celebrating his return to the City Ground, which did not go unnoticed by fans.

So Ola Aina admitted he cheated and got away with it… Absolutely no debate on that handball mate, none whatsoever @FA_PGMOL you need to disband.

— Dean James (@DeanJamesAFC) January 18, 2026

Fans quickly reacted, with many criticizing Aina for seemingly mocking the situation. Among those who commented was Antoine Semenyo, a new signing for Manchester City, who responded with laughing emojis, avoiding the handball discussion.

Meanwhile, Arsenal missed the chance to capitalize on Manchester City's recent slip, yet they still maintained a seven-point lead at the top of the table after Aston Villa's loss to Everton. The contentious handball decision left Arsenal feeling frustrated, especially given the circumstances.

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett added to the discussion, asserting that Arsenal should have received a penalty. In an interview with Football Insider, Hackett claimed that Aina intentionally moved his arm towards the ball, constituting a handling offense. He emphasized that the shoulder should be regarded as part of the body, making the contact non-accidental. 'A penalty should have been awarded,' he stated, deeming the ruling incorrect.

Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, shared similar views, noting that he witnessed the incident live and reviewed it afterward, finding no justification for the decision. He expressed disappointment over the denial of what he considered a clear penalty.

On the other hand, Nottingham Forest's manager, Sean Dyche, defended Aina and the officials, cautioning that football could lose its balance if penalties were awarded for such marginal incidents, suggesting that the game would suffer if every slight contact was penalized.