Premier League have 'set themselves up' after Mikel Arteta explodes at Arsenal decision

10:01, Sun, Sep 13, 2026 Updated: 10:10, Sun, Sep 13, 2026

Mikel Arteta was fuming with the penalty (Image: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has been told that he was right to scrutinise John Brooks' decision to award Sunderland a penalty during Arsenal's clash at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening - with warnings that the Premier League have 'set themselves up' to awarding similar spot-kicks. The Gunners and the Black Cats went toe-to-toe in the Premier League, with the match ending in a 2-0 win to the visitors.

After a scoreless first-half, the Black Cats were given an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot, when Dan Ballard was grounded by Ezri Konsa. Enzo Le Fee stepped up from 12 yards but was denied by a stellar save from David Raya. In an incident which could have proven pivotal, it was Arsenal who instead ran out victorious on the banks of the River Wear.

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Bruno Guimaraes broke the deadlock for the visitors just 120 seconds after Le Fee's miss, hitting the ball with venom at the edge of the area. Bukayo Saka then slotted home a penalty of his own deep into added time after being felled by Reinildo, who was shown a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal for the challenge.

Satisfied with the result, Arteta failed to bite his tongue regarding his anger at Brooks' decision to point to the spot for Sunderland. He told TNT Sports : "It is a huge win but it could have been something different. You know in what way, in the way that could have changed the game.

"Yeah. 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.

Dan Ballard was dragged down by Ezri Konsa (Image: Getty)

"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."

Both Ashley Williams and Thomas Frank have since backed Arteta's assessment of the controversial spot kick. Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Williams said: "I think he's got it completely wrong.

"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. 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. If I'm playing and I get hold of someone that's behind me and I flip them over and go down, every single time I win the award.

"And now they've given that penalty, they've set themselves up. Now they have to be consistent and keep doing that every week."

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Frank, meanwhile, added: "I think when you get it [a penalty], of course, you want it. But I completely agree, I don't think it's a penalty.

"Also, I'm a little bit surprised I know the new guidance. Normally, you see incidents in the first round, let's say, first, second or third. This is the fourth round and we know there's constant battles in there, so it surprised me the first time. And this one, I don't think it's a penalty."