Arsenal will need to put the weekend's drama behind them as they prepare to begin their Carabao Cup campaign
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND-SEPTEMBER 12: Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is given a yellow card by referee John Brooks during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has made his feelings known after Saturday's Arsenal match(Image: Ian Horrocks, Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal will return to action on Tuesday night with a Carabao Cup match against Premier League rivals Ipswich Town. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has a chance to give some fringe players a chance after an intense trip to Sunderland on Saturday.
The Londoners picked up all three points at the Stadium of Light but only after penalty drama. Thankfully for the title holders, David Raya's save from Enzo Le Fee meant they weren't punished for a refereeing decision which infuriated Arteta.
Bruno Guimaraes scored his first Arsenal goal on Saturday after coming off the bench and could be rewarded with a start on Tuesday after his league debut was delayed by injury. However, fellow scorer Bukayo Saka might end up being given a rest.
In addition to the fallout from the Sunderland penalty call, we've got some transfer news for you ahead of the window reopening in January. Here are our latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.
Pro Ref discussions
Arsenal's dissatisfaction with the officiating on Saturday has led the club to initiate discussions with Pro Ref chief Howard Webb, football.london understands. The grievance centres on a decision to grant a penalty against Ezri Konsa following a tussle with Dan Ballard with some feeling a foul should have been awarded the other way.
Mikel Arteta was left fuming, telling TNT Sports: "I'm so upset, it is unacceptable at this level, unacceptable. It can change the course of the season.
"I've seen it 10 times to make sure and I said 'it is not possible it is penalty'. It is a judo roll. That's what it is.
"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."
Real Madrid hold the key in Paz battle
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STADIO GIUSEPPE SINIGAGLIA, COMO, ITALY - 2026/09/10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 match between Como 1907 and Rb Leipzig. Como 1907 wins 4-1 over RB Leipzig. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Como's Nico Paz is one of the game's rising stars(Image: Marco Canoniero, LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Argentina international Nico Paz is the latest player to be linked with an Arsenal move. However, any hopes of landing the Como star could rest with the priorities of his former employers Real Madrid.
Paz, 22, helped guide Como into the Champions League for the first time after bagging 12 goals in Serie A last term. He is already off the mark for the new season and also impressed in the European opener against RB Leipzig, providing two assists.
Paz joined Como for around £51million in 2024 but The Sun report that Real Madrid hold an option to bring him back to the Bernabeu for close to £70million in summer 2027. If Arsenal attempt to enter the race in January, Paz's old employers could yet stop them in their tracks.