Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta strongly criticises the decision to award Sunderland a penalty during Arsenal’s 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light. Multiple outlets report that Arteta calls the call “unacceptable,” saying it could have had major consequences even though Arsenal ultimately won.
The penalty is widely described as being given after Ezri Konsa is judged to have fouled Dan Ballard. David Raya saves the penalty, which reduces the immediate impact on Arsenal’s result. Some reports add that Arteta praises Raya and the team’s response, while others focus on how the decision still “cannot happen at this level” from his perspective.
Coverage also includes discussion of whether the criticism is justified, with Yahoo Sports citing a former PGMOL chief who backs the referee’s decision to award the spot-kick. Other outlets focus more on Arteta’s frustration in post-match comments. Across reports, the common thread is Arteta’s anger at the penalty call despite Arsenal securing the win.
