Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has labelled the decision to award Sunderland a penalty “unacceptable” on Saturday after watching his side grind out a 2-0 win to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season and move clear at the top of the Premier League.
The outburst occurred following Arsenal’s 2-0 victory against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Early in the second half, with the score tied at 0-0, referee John Brooks awarded Sunderland a penalty after Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa was judged to have fouled Dan Ballard inside the box during a set-piece play. The decision was quickly reviewed and ratified by VAR.
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Arteta was visibly furious on the touchline, earning himself a yellow card for his protests, and maintained his anger during post-match interviews.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Arteta did not hold back despite securing the three points.
“I’m extremely pleased to win again. We had a really tough week, Chelsea, Napoli, winning there and now against a really tough opponent in a difficult place.
“ We had really good periods but didn’t score and after that they can suffocate you especially when they decided to be really physical and very direct and we had to overcome a situation that in my opinion was absolutely unacceptable at this level.
“I’m very worried and very sad because this can never be a penalty ever.
“Are you surprised? Are you surprised? No. OK.
“It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri (Konsa) does nothing. Just watch it. We have a lot of cameras and VAR we have to take responsibility to protect the game.
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“Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing.
“I loved the save from David (Raya) the way the team reacted, the way we go again and we go against everything, but this should never happen, it’s not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense.
“I’m making it very clear publicly because it’s for the game, it’s not only for Arsenal, this cannot happen at this level.”
