Arsenal secured a 2-0 win over Sunderland, but their afternoon could have been very different after the Gunners conceded a penalty - a decision Mikel Arteta was far from convinced by
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta will be pleased(Image: Getty)
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Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the new season with a 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday. Bruno Guimaraes opened the scoring before Bukayo Saka added a second as the Gunners strengthened their position at the top of the Premier League.
But the game could have taken a very different turn moments before Arsenal went ahead. Sunderland were awarded a penalty after Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have dragged Dan Ballard to the ground inside the area.
David Raya saved the resulting spot-kick, but Mikel Arteta was nonetheless furious with the decision. The Arsenal boss branded it "unacceptable" and criticised referee John Brooks, saying: "This cannot happen. In my view. I have been involved in football for 27/28 years. It's not a penalty in any game, in any game, in any context in any league... it is a judo roll. That's what it is."
Match of the Day pundits have since given their verdict on the incident, while the referee's transcript from the decision has also emerged. With the controversy continuing to dominate the aftermath, here are the latest Arsenal-related headlines:
Arteta fury vindicated
Match of the Day pundits Ashley Williams and Thomas Frank have backed Mikel Arteta's view that Sunderland should not have been awarded a penalty against Arsenal.
Former Premier League defender Williams was particularly critical of the decision after reviewing the incident, arguing referee John Brooks had got it "completely wrong". He pointed to Dan Ballard grabbing Ezri Konsa's shirt as the Arsenal defender went to ground.
"I think he [the referee] has got it completely wrong," he said. "Look at Ezri Konsa's left shoulder here - it's pulled down by Dan Ballard. It means that he spins round and he obviously lands on top of Dan Ballard. Mikel Arteta is right, it's almost a perfect kick toss like in judo. He's got hold of him.
Ezri Konsa of Arsenal pulls down Daniel Ballard Of Sunderland resulting in a penalty
Mikel Arteta felt the decision to award Sunderland a penalty was "unacceptable"(Image: Alamy Live News.)
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"If you look at Konsa's elbow getting driven down, he can't do anything about it at this point, he has to roll over. It's very clever by Ballard, but in no way is it a penalty. If anything, this has to be a foul the other way."
Former Tottenham manager Frank was equally convinced, agreeing with Williams' assessment of the decision. "I completely agree, I don't think it's a penalty," he said.
Referee transcript emerges
The Premier League has published the transcript of the exchange between referee John Brooks and the in-game VAR during the incident, offering further insight into why the penalty was awarded.
The transcript was shared via the Premier League Match Centre account on X, with VAR confirming Brooks' decision to award Sunderland a spot-kick for a holding offence by Ezri Konsa on Dan Ballard.
Referee John Brooks during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal
The transcript of the exchange between referee John Brooks and VAR has been revealed(Image: Getty)
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"The referee's call of penalty to Sunderland for a holding offence by Konsa on Ballard was checked and confirmed by VAR.
"REF: 'He's all over him at the near post facing the wrong way.'
"VAR: 'I'm happy that it's a holding offence. The foul is confirmed. Confirming the on-field decision of penalty.'"
The account also published guidance on what constitutes a foul for holding, including actions that are "clearly not an attempt to challenge for or play for the ball", "impacting the ability of the opponent to play and/or challenge for the ball" and "holding an opponent with both arms".
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