Arsenal take action after Mikel Arteta fumes over ‘unacceptable’ Sunderland decision
Arsenal are set to contact Howard Webb and refereeing body Pro Ref over the controversial penalty awarded against Ezri Konsa during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
Journalist Henry Winter reports that the Premier League champions intend to raise the incident after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta strongly criticised the decision following the game.
Referee John Brooks pointed to the spot in the second half after judging Konsa to have brought down former Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard as the pair grappled following a Sunderland throw-in.
VAR reviewed the incident but found insufficient grounds to overturn the on-field decision, leaving Enzo Le Fee with an opportunity to put Sunderland ahead.
David Raya ensured the controversy did not alter the result by producing an excellent low save, pushing Le Fee’s penalty against the post.
Bruno Guimaraes then scored his first Arsenal goal just over two minutes later before Bukayo Saka converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete the victory.
Arteta nevertheless remained furious afterwards, arguing that Ballard had initiated the decisive movement rather than being dragged down by Konsa.
“It’s a judo roll from the opponent,” Arteta said. “Ezri does nothing. We have to take responsibility to protect the game.”
The Spaniard described the decision as “unacceptable at this level” and argued that an incident of that nature could have cost Arsenal both the victory and their early-season momentum.
Replays showed considerable contact between both players, with Ballard appearing to wrap himself around Konsa as the Arsenal defender also grappled with his opponent.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has subsequently argued that Ballard committed the first offence and that VAR should have intervened to overturn the penalty.
Arsenal’s planned approach to Webb comes during another weekend of scrutiny surrounding Premier League officiating.
Pro Ref has already acknowledged an error during Manchester City’s derby victory over Manchester United, admitting VAR should have recommended an on-field review before Erling Haaland’s decisive goal was allowed to stand.
That decision also carries potential significance for Arsenal because City are emerging as their closest early challengers at the top of the table.
The Sunderland incident ultimately proved harmless thanks to Raya, but Arsenal clearly want clarification over how similar physical battles inside the penalty area will be judged going forward.
With the margins likely to be extremely small during another title race, the club appear unwilling to leave their concerns unaddressed simply because Saturday’s decision did not cost them points.
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