Arteta fumes over “unacceptable” penalty decision after Gunners win
Left fuming by the decision to award a penalty against Ezri Konsa, Mikel Arteta took aim at the officials following Arsenal’s hard-fought 2-0 win over Sunderland.
The incident that so incensed the Spaniard came six minutes after the break. Konsa and Dan Ballard grappled beneath a long throw before David Raya came through the crowd to claim the ball cleanly.
Referee John Brooks decided a foul had been committed and immediately pointed to the spot. VAR checked and cleared the decision, much to the frustration of Arteta and the Arsenal bench.
As it happened, Raya produced an outstanding save to keep out Enzo Le Fee’s spot-kick and, moments later, substitute Bruno Guimaraes fired Arsenal ahead with a stunning strike from distance.
The Gunners eventually wrapped up the points with a penalty of their own deep into stoppage time. Bukayo Saka was brought down by Reinildo before stepping up to convert and make absolutely sure of the victory.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Arteta wasted no time expressing his displeasure with the earlier decision.
“It’s a huge win, but it could have been something very different,” said the manager.
Asked what he meant by that, he continued: “You know, in what way. In the way that they [the officials] could have changed the game.”
Given another opportunity to explain, Arteta made it abundantly clear that his anger was directed at the officials.
“I’m so upset, it’s unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable.
“This can change the course of a season, the championship, and it’s not acceptable. I’ve seen it 10 times to make sure, because I watched it live, and I said it’s not possible at this level there’s going to be a penalty, because it’s a judo role, that’s what it is. It just cannot happen.”
Arteta felt the incident was a straightforward tussle between two players competing for position and insisted it should not have resulted in a spot-kick, regardless of the competition or circumstances.
“I’ve been in football for almost 27 years, 28 years. It’s not a penalty in any case, in any game, in any context, in any league.”
Arteta, who had earlier been booked by Brooks for stepping outside his technical area, went on to praise his players for the way they stood up to an intense and physical challenge.
Sunderland caused problems throughout the second half, bombarding the Arsenal box with set-pieces and long throws as they searched for a way back into the game. The Gunners were forced to dig in, but kept their composure as the contest became increasingly frantic.
“Unbelievable players that we have, and the spirit and the courage to go again and again and again.
“I’m so pleased in one sense, and so worried [about the officiating] in another.”
There were also warm words for the two heroes of the evening.
After a frustrating, injury-hit start to his Arsenal career, Guimaraes announced himself in style. Introduced at half-time, he found the top corner with an outstanding effort that clipped the underside of the crossbar on its way in.
“You know what it means to play with the personality that he’s played,” Arteta said of Bruno. “He decided the game with a goal and an assist [for Saka who won a penalty], unbelievable.”
Raya, meanwhile, was his usual calm presence at the back. In addition to saving Le Fee’s penalty, the Spaniard marshalled his defence through an aerial onslaught and produced an excellent late double save to preserve Arsenal’s lead.
“He’s a player that decides football matches when we need it,” was Arteta’s assessment of the man-of-the-match.
The win completed an excellent run of results during a demanding week, with Arsenal beating Chelsea at home before travelling to Napoli and Sunderland in quick succession.
“We had a really tough week, playing Chelsea first, then going back to Napoli, winning there again, and then coming here and winning again.”
It has been a perfect start for the Gunners, with six wins from six in all competitions and top spot in the Premier League secured. Two more away games await next week before the international break finally offers a chance to pause for breath. How does the season feel this breathless already?
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