'Clear and obvious' - Mikel Arteta gives cryptic response to controversial refereeing decisions in Asenal defeat to Aston Villa

John McGinn's first-half strike was enough for the home team to take the three points from Saturday's Premier League match at Villa Park. However, Arsenal felt they should have been given a penalty after Douglas Luiz kicked the back of Gabriel Jesus' leg in a challenge for the ball and then the visitors were denied an equaliser as the referee ruled that it hit Kai Havertz's hand before Eddie Nketiah knocked it into the net.

Arteta was asked for his thoughts on the penalty claim in his post-match press conference, but he replied simply: "Clear and obvious."

Pressed on whether he thought both decisions were wrong, he said: "No, no, clear and obvious."

When interviewed by BBC Sports about those calls, he said the same thing: "It’s clear and obvious for me.”

Sky Sports asked him if he has an opinion on the decisions, to which he replied: "I do, big opinion."

Arteta, who was absent from the touchline because of a yellow card suspension, perhaps chose to remain quiet following his infamous rant about Newcastle's winning goal against his side in November. He launched a tirade, saying: "Embarrassing what happened - how this goal stands, in the Premier League - this league we say is the best in the world. I've been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace and there's too much at stake here."

Those comments landed him a misconduct charge from the Football Association and the Spaniard is scheduled to appear at a hearing with the governing body over the issue.

Arsenal are in action again on Tuesday as they travel to Eindhoven to take on PSV in the Champions League. The Gunners have already secured a first-place finish in the group, with the Dutch side to follow them through to the next round as runners up.