Mikel Arteta says penalty given to Sunderland ‘unacceptable at this level’
Arsenal manager angry: ‘This can never be a penalty’
‘It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri does nothing’
Mikel Arteta’s delight at Arsenal’s latest win was tempered by his fury with the referee John Brooks as the champions triumphed 2-0 at Sunderland on Saturday night.
Before Bruno Guimarães gave Arsenal the lead in a tight match that Régis Le Bris’s team were arguably unlucky to lose, David Raya made a brilliant save to deny Enzo Le Fée from the penalty spot. Arteta, however, did not believe that Ezri Konsa had hauled Dan Ballard to the ground, instead blaming the Sunderland man for pulling down his opponent.
“We had to overcome a really tough opponent in a difficult place,” said Arsenal’s manager. “Sunderland can suffocate you and they decided to be really physical and very direct and we also had to overcome a situation that, in my opinion was unacceptable at this level.
“I’m very worried and sad because this can never be a penalty. It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri does nothing. We have to take responsibility to protect the game. Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the win and our momentum. I’m really sad. It should never have happened.”
Arteta, who was booked in the first half for persistently stepping out of his technical area, hailed Guimarães’s goal as “beautiful” after watching Bukayo Saka scored a second goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time, when Sunderland’s Reinildo was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Le Bris was left with mixed feelings. “I’m proud and disappointed, these are the two words that are in my mind at the minute,” said Sunderland’s manager. “I’m proud because I think we showed that we are really close to achieving something big against one of the best teams in Europe right now. After the first half we were a bit reserved with the ball I think, but our second half was excellent.
“We got the momentum, created chances and it was a big save from Raya from the penalty. I think it was very good goalkeeping rather than a poor penalty. Raya was absolutely impressive today.
“We stayed in the game and we created other chances but we didn’t score and that was the difference today.
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“We had intensity and togetherness and we were brave as well at times with the ball. We were flexible tactically because this Arsenal team creates chances. Today we found a solution to stop them and we created chances as well so it shows that we are getting better. It’s not enough yet but we are close.”