Arsenal to contact Howard Webb after Sunderland VAR anger and Manchester derby controversy
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been in contact with Pro Ref chief Howard Webb after a controversial penalty decision(Image: Getty)
Arsenal have been in dialogue with Pro Ref (Professional Game Referees) chief Howard Webb after the controversial penalty they conceded against Sunderland, football.london understands.
Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have committed a holding offence on Dan Ballard which saw John Brooks point to the spot. David Raya ultimately saved Enzo Le Fee's effort from 12 yards and while the Gunners went on to win 2-0, Mikel Arteta remained incensed at the decision both in his TV post-match interview and press conference.
He said to TNT Sports in the former: "I'm so upset, it is unacceptable at this level, unacceptable. It can change the course of the season. I've seen it 10 times to make sure and I said 'it is not possible it is penalty'. It is a judo roll. That's what it is.
"This cannot happen. In my view. I have been involved in football for 27/28 years. It's not a penalty in any game, in any game, in any context in any league."
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Arteta went into more detail in his press conference and after praising his players, once again took aim at the officials with the Gunners boss left even more baffled after watching the incident several times.
He said to reporters at the Stadium of Light: "Look, the first question that we have to discuss is, and this is not acceptable at this level, because it was a beautiful game of football, with two teams, with an atmosphere in this stadium, it was unbelievable.
"With Sunderland they are so well organised, they are so good in so many phases, they have great players, they create a lot of issues. We have to cope with all of that, because it was a lot in a really difficult week, after Chelsea and Napoli.
"And on top of that, we have to go through what we've done today, that in my opinion is not acceptable. And I watched it 20 times, and I cannot find a way to understand how we even think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene. So I don't know what to think, really."
Man City star Erling Haaland's Manchester derby winner was the other controversial incident in the Premier League this weekend
More refereeing controversy followed on Sunday with Erling Haaland's winner in the Manchester derby allowed to stand despite Enzo Fernandez's attempt to play the ball while in an offside position.
That could actually have a bigger impact on Arsenal than the Sunderland penalty with Enzo Maresca's side, who saw Phil Foden sent off after 23 minutes, also winning all of their opening four Premier League games.
Pro Ref swiftly acknowledged an "error in judgement" was made with this big decision impacting the outcome. In Arsenal's case, a bad refereeing call did not make the difference as Bruno Guimaraes scored off the bench to put the visitors in front moments after Raya's penalty save.
Bukayo Saka then added a second deep into stoppage time to increase their advantage and remove any concerns of Sunderland grabbing a late equaliser.
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