Everton manager Roberto Martinez has lamented the "soft penalty" that cost his side as they went down 4-1 to Arsenal in the FA Cup this afternoon.

Gareth Barry tripped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to give Mikel Arteta the chance to make it 2-1 in the second half, and the Spaniard made no mistake despite being forced to take the spot kick twice.

Speaking to ITV Sport, Martinez said: "It was the key moment that second goal. The penalty was a soft one and the goal was vital to the game.

"Gareth was fighting for the ball and there is contact, but is it enough to give a penalty? It was a difficult decision and we had the chance with Ross Barkley a bit earlier to change the game.

"The game was always going to change drastically with that second goal."

Meanwhile, Gunners midfielder Arteta has claimed that his side were well worth the victory.

Written by
Paul Gorst