Arteta criticizes penalty call in Arsenal's win over Sunderland

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hit out at the penalty given to Sunderland during the Gunners' Premier League win. He called the decision unacceptable.

Referee John Brooks pointed to the penalty spot after Ezri Konsa and Sunderland's Ballard fell inside the Arsenal penalty area. Even though VAR looked at the incident, the penalty decision stood.

Arteta was angry about the call and wondered why the officials did not change it.

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

"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 said he watched the incident many times but still could not understand why the penalty was awarded.

"This should never happen, it’s not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense," he said.

"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."

The penalty call comes as Premier League officials are cracking down on holding during set pieces. Referees have been told to punish grappling and wrestling more strictly in the penalty area.

Former England midfielder Karen Carney pointed out that Konsa took a risk by being involved in the tussle.

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

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown added, "Ballard was holding Konsa’s arm, but you run the risk. They want to stamp down on it, so there is no point arguing about it."

But former Wales defender Ashley Williams supported Arteta’s view.

"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," 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."

The penalty decision could have changed the match, but Arsenal's goalkeeper David Raya made a key save to deny Le Fee and keep his team in the lead.

It was only Raya’s second Premier League penalty save. The goalkeeper read the shot well and stretched to tip the ball onto the post.

Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes praised Raya for keeping the Gunners in the game.

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

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

Former Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who signed Raya when he was at the club, also praised the goalkeeper.

"This penalty save is exceptional. He gets out so quick," Frank 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."

Keown also praised Raya and Arsenal’s defense for staying strong in a tough match.

"It is a fantastic win, and the groundwork was done by the defense. They have weathered the storm, and the goalkeeper steps up to make a wonderful save," he said.

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

Despite his anger over the penalty, Arteta praised his players for dealing with Sunderland’s pressure.

"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 win was also boosted by Bruno Guimaraes, who scored a stunning curling shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The Brazilian midfielder has had a tough start at Arsenal after his £75m move from Newcastle, but his goal showed his quality.

Keown described the strike as a statement from the midfielder.

"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."

Guimaraes spoke about the significance of scoring against Sunderland due to his history with Newcastle.

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

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

Arsenal managed to get through a chaotic evening to win the match, with Raya’s penalty save, strong defense, and Guimaraes’ moment of magic making the difference.