Mikel Arteta slammed referee John Brooks for his "unacceptable" decision to award Sunderland a penalty in their Premier League match, insisting the call could alter the course of the season.
The Arsenal boss was furious despite his team winning 2-0, after Ezri Konsa was judged to have fouled Dan Ballard, handing Sunderland a chance to take the lead. Enzo Le Fee's spot-kick was pushed onto the post by David Raya.
Arteta's fury after full-time
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Arteta fumed: "It's a huge win but it could have been something very different." When pressed on whether he was referring to the refereeing decisions, he added: "Yes. 100 per cent."
"It is unacceptable at this level. unacceptable. this can change the course of a season. It's not acceptable. I have watched it 10 times to make sure. It cannot happen."
"I have been involved in football for 27/28 years. It's not a penalty in any game, in any context in any league."
Arteta's claims and VAR check
Arteta claimed Ballard had hold of Konsa and referred to the movement as a "judo roll". He added he planned to speak with the officials once his media duties were done.
A post on the Premier League Match Centre's X account read: "The referee's call of penalty to Sunderland for a holding offence by Konsa on Ballard was checked and confirmed by VAR."
REF: 'He's all over him at the near post facing the wrong way'. VAR: 'I'm happy that it's a holding offence. The foul is confirmed. Confirming the on-field decision of penalty'.
Arsenal seal win
The Gunners were awarded a penalty of their own in the final minutes, and Bukayo Saka rolled the ball into the back of the net to wrap up all three points at the Stadium of Light.
