Arteta says Sunderland penalty decision ‘cannot happen at this level’ – but praises Raya and his team’s reaction in victory | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta hit out at an “absolutely unacceptable” penalty decision despite Arsenal continuing their winning start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland.

The Gunners came through another difficult test to maintain their 100% winning record this season, but Arteta was furious with the decision to award Sunderland a penalty, which David Raya saved before Arsenal went on to score twice through Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka.

“I’m extremely pleased to win again,” Arteta said. “We had a really tough week, Chelsea, Napoli, winning there and now against a really tough opponent in a difficult place.

“We had really good periods but didn’t score and after that they can suffocate you, especially when they decided to be really physical and very direct.

“We had to overcome a situation that in my opinion was absolutely unacceptable at this level. I’m very worried and very sad because this can never be a penalty ever.”

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Arteta felt Ezri Konsa had done nothing wrong in the incident and questioned why VAR had not intervened to overturn the decision.

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

“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 was delighted with Raya’s save and Arsenal’s response to the setback but insisted his criticism was about protecting the wider game rather than simply his own team.

“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.

“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.”

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