Arteta angry over penalty decision despite Arsenal win at Sunderland

SUNDERLAND – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta labelled the decision to award Sunderland a penalty “unacceptable” on Sept 12 after watching his side grind out a 2-0 away win to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.

Two minutes after goalkeeper David Raya pushed Enzo le Fee’s 55th-minute spot-kick against the post, Bruno Guimaraes scored his 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 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 was a huge win, but it could have been something very different,” an angry Arteta told TNT Sport, referring to the penalty given to the hosts at the Stadium of Light.

“It’s unacceptable at this level. This can change the course of a season and the championship. It’s not acceptable. I’ve seen it 10 times to make sure and it’s not possible at this level that it can be a penalty. It cannot happen.

“It’s not a penalty in any context, in any league.”

It was far from a vintage Arsenal display against a tenacious Sunderland, who deserved something for their endeavour, but they dug deep and showed the resilience that helped them win a first title for 22 years last season.

They have now kept four clean sheets in five games this season, including the midweek Champions League win at Napoli.

Summer signing Guimaraes, who came on at half-time, made a stunning impact. After receiving a pass from Declan Rice, he sent a right-footed curler into the top corner.

Arsenal were forced to defend desperately at times as Sunderland’s physicality rattled them, but Saka netted his third goal of the season when he beat Robin Roefs with his spot-kick after being fouled by Reinildo Mandava, who was sent off.

“It’s unbelievable the spirit and the courage we have to go again and again and again,” Arteta said. “So pleased in one sense and so worried in another.

“David Raya was unbelievable. He is a player that decides football matches when we need it.

“Sunderland deserve a lot of credit for the way they make it so hard for you.”

Black Cats manager Regis le Bris felt the game was there for the taking.

“We were respectful, but maybe a little reserved in the first half. We showed our quality with the ball in the second half, though... It was a game of really fine margins,” said the Frenchman, whose side have racked up one win, one draw and two losses in the league.

Meanwhile, Roberto de Zerbi apologised to Tottenham Hotspur’s furious fans after his winless side were booed off following their 0-0 draw at home against Everton on Sept 12.

The London side have yet to score a goal in four EPL matches this season, with two draws and two defeats.

The Italian said he understood how their supporters felt, adding: “I’m sorry for the fans. They were fantastic today. It is normal, the reaction of the fans.”

Asked how he felt about the bleak start to the season after Tottenham splashed out more than £300 million (S$513 million) on 10 signings, de Zerbi said: “It is not a tough moment. A tough moment was last season in Sunderland when we were close to relegation.

“Now is one of the moments in football when you are rebuilding a team.

“We played very well in the first 30 minutes then we lost energy because our physical condition is not the best. We are working for that.”

While there were no goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, fans at Stamford Bridge witnessed a 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Hull City on Sept 12.

Xabi Alonso’s side were cruising after Morgan Rogers drilled home in the seventh minute, but once again they paid the price for some sloppy defending.

Hull’s Algerian winger Mohamed Belloumi equalised after Chelsea failed to clear a long ball and put the tireless Tigers in front when his deflected shot flashed in before half-time.

Cole Palmer’s incisive run and cut-back in the 66th minute allowed Joao Pedro to bag the equaliser for the Blues, who have now conceded nine goals in four EPL matches this season.

Alonso is well aware that Chelsea’s attacking quality, which has brought 10 goals in four league games, is being dented by their issues in defence.

“Maybe entertaining, but I hope one day you’ll say it was a boring game, and we win and we don’t give these entertaining moments,” he said, after garnering two wins, one draw and one loss in the league.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic, whose side are still unbeaten with two wins and two draws, said: “I feel good. We have to be happy. It’s a huge result for us.” REUTERS