Arsenal to Complain to Pro Ref Over Sunderland Penalty

Arsenal are preparing to raise a formal complaint with Pro Ref after the penalty awarded to Sunderland during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win at the Stadium of Light.

The flashpoint came in the 55th minute when referee John Brooks ruled that Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa had held Sunderland captain Dan Ballard in the area. A VAR review checked the decision and allowed it to stand.

Quick facts

Sunderland received a penalty in the 55th minute for Konsa’s challenge on Ballard.
VAR confirmed John Brooks’ on-field call for a holding offence.
David Raya saved Enzo Le Fee’s penalty, pushing it onto the post.
Bruno Guimaraes scored three minutes later before Bukayo Saka sealed a 2-0 Arsenal win.
Arsenal have won all four league matches and next travel to Brighton.

The Premier League Match Centre said the spot-kick had been checked and confirmed, with the offence judged to be holding by Konsa on Ballard. Arsenal’s frustration centred on the belief that both players had been involved in a physical tussle.

Mikel Arteta was furious after the final whistle despite his side taking the points. The Arsenal manager said he had reviewed the incident repeatedly and still could not see how a penalty, or VAR confirmation, had been justified.

Arteta warned that calls of that scale can have consequences far beyond one afternoon. He said it was disappointing to be discussing the decision after a strong match, adding that refereeing errors could alter a title race given the stakes at the top level.

Former Premier League defender Ashley Williams also felt Sunderland’s penalty should not have been given. His view was that Ballard’s movement in the duel was closer to a judo-style hip throw and that the foul, if any, had gone the other way.

Raya’s intervention kept the game level when he diverted Le Fee’s attempt against the post. Arsenal then struck in the 58th minute through Guimaraes, with Saka later adding the second goal.

The result kept Arsenal first in the Premier League after four straight victories. Their next test is an away trip to Brighton, while the club pursue answers over the Stadium of Light decision.