Mikel Arteta Fumes Over Sunderland Penalty Decision — Arsenal Boss Calls It ‘Unacceptable’ After Raya Save

Mikel Arteta had a warning for Premier League officials after Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland, insisting the penalty awarded against Ezri Konsa was “unacceptable” and could have dramatically changed the course of the game.

The Gunners ultimately left the Stadium of Light with three points and a perfect record after four Premier League matches, but their manager was still furious long after the final whistle.

The flashpoint came when Konsa was penalised for grappling with Sunderland defender Dan Ballard inside the Arsenal box. Referee John Brooks immediately pointed to the spot, with VAR agreeing that the incident constituted a holding offence.

“He’s all over him at the near post facing the wrong way,” Brooks explained.

VAR subsequently confirmed: “I’m happy that it’s a holding offence. The foul is confirmed. Confirming the on-field decision of penalty.”

Arteta saw it very differently.

‘It’s A Judo Roll’

With the score still 0-0, David Raya produced a huge save to deny Enzo Le Fée from the penalty spot and prevent Sunderland from taking the lead.

For Arteta, however, the save was almost beside the point.

“It could have been very different,” he told TNT Sports. “They could’ve changed the game.”

When asked what could have changed the match, Arteta pointed towards the officials.

“You know who.”

The Arsenal boss then delivered his strongest verdict.

“It is unacceptable at this level,” he said. “Unacceptable. This can change the course of a season. It’s not acceptable.”

Arteta revealed that he had watched the incident repeatedly before reaching his conclusion.

“I have watched it 10 times to make sure, because I watched it live and I said it’s not possible to be a penalty because it’s a judo roll, that’s what it is,” he said. “This cannot happen.”

The Arsenal manager went even further, arguing that he could not understand the decision regardless of the level or context.

“In my view, I have been involved in football for 27 or 28 years. It’s not a penalty in any game, in any game, in any context in any league,” Arteta said.

“I’m so pleased in one sense, I’m so worried in another.”

Arteta: ‘The Game Was Unprotected’

The Arsenal boss remained just as critical when speaking to Match of the Day, again describing the incident as a “judo roll” and insisting Konsa had done nothing wrong.

“It’s a judo roll from the opponent,” Arteta said. “Ezri does nothing. Just watch it.”

He also questioned whether the extensive use of VAR and multiple camera angles was being properly used to protect the game.

“We have a lot of cameras and VAR we have to take responsibility to protect the game,” he said.

“Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing.”

Arteta praised his players for responding to the danger, but made clear that he did not believe Arsenal should have been put in that position.

“I loved the save from David, the way the team reacted, the way we go again and we go against everything, but this should never happen, it’s not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense,” he added.

“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.”

Asked about Raya’s penalty save, Arteta refused to make the goalkeeper the focus.

“We should not talk about the save of the keeper, we should talk about what happened before that.”

Raya’s Save Proved Crucial

Raya, naturally, was simply delighted to have made the intervention when Arsenal needed it most.

“It’s a big moment,” the goalkeeper said.

“Especially at nil-nil, away from home. They were a little bit on top of us. I think that save helped the players have that faith to keep going and win the game.”

Just two minutes after the penalty save, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock when Bruno Guimaraes struck from distance, his effort going in off the underside of the crossbar.

Bukayo Saka then sealed the victory from the spot in stoppage time.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris declined to enter the argument, saying simply: “I didn’t see the action, to be fair.”

But Arteta had seen it — and watched it again and again.

For Arsenal, the penalty ultimately became a footnote in another victory. For Arteta, it remained something far more serious: a decision he believes could have altered the entire course of the game, and potentially much more.