Mikel Arteta criticised the Sunderland penalty decision despite Arsenal’s 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light, describing the award as “unacceptable” and insisting it could have a major impact on the season.
Sunderland were awarded a spot-kick in the 54th minute after referee John Brooks judged that Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa had held Dan Ballard.
The decision was reviewed by VAR and upheld. The Premier League Match Centre said the video assistant referee agreed that Konsa was “all over him at the near post facing the wrong way” and confirmed the on-field penalty decision.
David Raya saved Enzo Le Fee’s effort from 12 yards, and Arsenal scored their opening goal 121 seconds later through Bruno Guimaraes.
Arteta, however, made clear that the penalty remained his primary concern when he faced the media after the match.
“The first question we have to discuss is this,” the Arsenal manager said. “This is not acceptable at this level.”
He added: “I watched it 20 times and I cannot find a way to understand how they think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene.
“I’m sad that we have to discuss this after such a beautiful game, that at this level, has the gravity of that. Because that changes the course of the season and it can cost you the championship.
“At this level, with all the work we put in, this cannot happen.”
Arsenal’s victory was completed by a late Bukayo Saka penalty. Arteta, who had been booked for leaving his technical area earlier in the match, remained angry when discussing the Sunderland incident in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.
“It’s not a penalty in any case, in any context, in any league,” he said, comparing the incident to a “judo roll”.
