Arsenal to contact referee chiefs over 'unacceptable' penalty given against Ezri Konsa in 2-0 win over Sunderland

Arsenal will contact English football's refereeing body, Pro Ref, about Sunderland's penalty awarded after a VAR check on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta was incandescent at the decision to penalise Ezri Konsa for his tangle with Dan Ballard – despite the spot-kick being saved and his side winning 2-0.

He felt that Ballard had gripped Konsa in a 'judo roll', dragging the defender onto him to give the illusion of a foul. Referee John Brooks awarded it before VAR confirmed his decision. 

Now the Gunners will contact Pro Ref for an explanation. The body have already had to apologise to Manchester United for the erroneous VAR call to let Erling Haaland's goal stand in the derby this weekend.

Arteta, who was booked in the match for leaving his technical area, flew off the handle in his post-match interview.

'It is unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable,' he told TNT Sports.