Furious Mikel Arteta Slams 'Unacceptable' Penalty Decision Despite Arsenal's Win Over Sunderland

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has labelled the decision to award Sunderland a penalty 'unacceptable' after watching his side grind out a 2-0 win to maintain their 100 percent start to the season and move clear at the top of the Premier League.

The defending champions made it 12 points out of 12 on Saturday as David Raya’s penalty save in the 55th minute proved crucial for the visitors, who went ahead two minutes later with Bruno Guimaraes’s first goal for the club. Bukayo Saka wrapped it up deep in stoppage time from the penalty spot to make it four league wins out of four for the reigning champions.

It could have been different had Enzo Le Fee found the net, but Arteta blasted the decision by referee John Brooks to award a penalty when Ezri Konsa was penalised for pulling down Dan Ballard as a corner was played in.

“It’s unacceptable at this level; this can change the course of a season and the championship,” an angry Arteta said. “It’s not a penalty in any context, in any league.”

Despite a far from vintage display against a tenacious Sunderland, Arsenal dug deep to secure another clean sheet. Summer signing Bruno Guimaraes made a stunning impact off the bench with a right-footed curler into the top corner, while Bukayo Saka sealed the victory late on after a foul by Reinildo Mandava, who received a red card.

Arteta praised the spirit and courage of his players, while also highlighting the crucial role played by goalkeeper David Raya and acknowledging the difficult challenge posed by Sunderland.