'Today the game was unprotected' - Arteta fumes but Arsenal survive

Arsenal hold off energetic Sunderland to continue perfect title defence

Arsenal's duality was there for all to see in their 2-0 win at Sunderland: gritty defence and moments of genius.

But things could have turned out very differently had a crucial 121-second period gone the other way.

After close to an hour of physical, full-blooded football, Sunderland were given a penalty when Ezri Konsa fouled Dan Ballard at a corner.

It proved the turning point - David Raya tipped Enzo le Fee's spot kick on to the post, and just over two minutes later, Arsenal substitute Bruno Guimaraes crashed in the opener off the underside of the crossbar.

Arteta's side left the north-east of England with their ninth successive Premier League victory. Not since the days of the Invincibles, in 2003-04, have the Gunners done that.

Yet Arteta was furious about the Sunderland penalty that could have cost his side.

"It's a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri [Konsa] does nothing. Just watch it," Arteta told BBC Match of the Day.

"We have a lot of cameras and VAR, we have to take responsibility to protect the game. Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing."

Arteta 'very worried & very sad' about penalty awarded against Arsenal

Referee John Brooks took a few seconds to point to the penalty spot after Ballard and Konsa hit the ground, but once he did the VAR stuck with his decision.

Konsa was certainly committing a foul, though Ballard did appear to have a hold of the Arsenal man.

"This should never happen, it's not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense," said Arteta, who was booked in the first half for repeatedly leaving his technical area.

"I'm making it very clear publicly because it's for the game, it's not only for Arsenal, this cannot happen at this level.

"It's not acceptable, I've watched it 20 times and can't think of why it was given."

This season, Premier League referees have been instructed to clamp down on grappling at corners, something that became a big talking point last term.

"With the new laws trying to get rid of the grappling, Konsa is all over Ballard. You have to be looking at the ball," former England midfielder Karen Carney said on TNT Sports.

"Ballard was holding Konsa's arm but you run the risk," added former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.

"They want to stamp down on it so there is no point arguing about it."

However, Arteta was not alone in questioning the decision.

"It's absolutely not a penalty. He has got it completely wrong, Konsa's shoulder is pulled down by Ballard and he lands on top," former Wales defender Ashley Williams said on BBC Match of the Day.

"It's like a perfect toss in judo. It's very clever by Ballard but in no way is it a penalty."

Though Arteta spoke more about the awarding of the penalty rather than Raya's saving of it, there is no denying that the Spanish goalkeeper's intervention changed the direction of the match.

The save - only Raya's second penalty stop in the Premier League - came at a time when Sunderland were putting the defending champions under pressure.

Though Le Fee telegraphed his effort, Raya had to be at full stretch to tip it on to the post. Until that point, the goalkeeper had largely been a spectator.

"He keeps us alive in the game, that unbelievable moment saving the penalty," Guimaraes told TNT Sports.

"I think after this moment we [took from it] a big confidence to play forward and score our goal."

"This penalty save is exceptional. He gets out so quick," former Brentford manager Thomas Frank - the man who signed Raya - said on BBC Match of the Day.

"For me he's the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and one of the best in the world."

After building last season's title-winning campaign on a stubborn defence, the Gunners have begun this season with five clean sheets in six matches in all competitions, including in all three away matches.

"It is a fantastic win and the ground work was done by the defence. They have weathered the storm and the goalkeeper steps up and makes a wonderful save," Keown said.

"He is very important to Arsenal and what they achieve. He was magnificent and doesn't get the credit he deserves."

Though seething about the penalty, Arteta took the opportunity during his post-match media conference to praise his side's defensive efforts.

"We knew we would have to go through some difficult and chaotic moments to have the right to win this game," he said. "But we have done it."

Arsenal's brilliance at both ends helps overcome Sunderland

On a night when Arsenal were not at their fluid best, one hero was not going to be enough.

Guimaraes stepped up with a goal of the season contender, a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.

The Brazilian midfielder has had a tough start to life at Arsenal since his £75m summer move from Newcastle, failing to start a match since the Community Shield.

Now recovered from a minor hamstring injury, he showed exactly what he can offer.

"That goal is about personality and character. It was him saying: I am going to make my mark at this football club," Keown said.

"He has been watching on the sidelines, but has said: 'Take a look at me - this is what I can do.'

"Boy did he shut the crowd up. A class player, going to the next level."

Of all the teams to announce himself against, Guimaraes chose the arch-rivals of his former employers Newcastle.

"It was a beautiful goal. Everyone knows my past, I had an amazing history at Newcastle," Guimaraes told TNT Sports.

"But now I'm trying to create a new history here and I start with the right foot."

This match could have turned out very differently for Arsenal, but in the end, it was heroes old and new that got the job done.

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