Mikel Arteta Calls Penalty Decision Unacceptable After Arsenal's Win

Mikel Arteta raged at what he called an “unacceptable” penalty decision but still found room to hail his players’ resilience and Sunderland’s courage after a bruising contest.

The Arsenal manager, visibly shaken by the incident, said a single call from the officials had the potential to reshape the entire campaign.

“Yes. I’m so upset,” he said. “It’s unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable. This can change the course of a season, the championship, and it’s not acceptable.”

Arteta revealed he had watched the incident back repeatedly, convinced in real time that the referee would point to the spot.

“I’ve seen it ten times to make sure because I watched it live and I said, it’s not possible at this level, there’s going to be a penalty because it’s a judo role. That’s what it is. It just cannot happen.”

The Spaniard, who has spent nearly three decades in the game as player and coach, was adamant there was no room for debate.

“Not in my view, in any view that has played football,” he said. “I’ve been in football for almost 27 years, 28 years, it’s not a penalty in any case, in any game, in any context, in any league.”

The fury at the decision sat alongside a clear pride in his squad’s response. Arsenal dug in, pushed back and found a way, a reaction Arteta framed as the other side of the night.

“That is the unbelievable players that we have,” he said. “And the spirit and the courage to go again, and again, again. I am so pleased in one sense and so worried in another.”

One of his match-winners drew particular praise. Arteta underlined the difference‑maker in his ranks, a player he believes thrives when the pressure tightens.

“Unbelievable. Again,” he said. “He’s a player that decides football matches when we need.”

Arteta refused to let his anger at the officials overshadow Sunderland’s display. He went out of his way to underline the quality and organisation of the opposition.

“Big credit to Sunderland as well, the way they play, the way they are coached,” he said. “What they do because they are a really good team. I don’t want to take any credit out of them because they really deserve a lot of credit for how hard they make it for you.”

Sunderland, he stressed, did not just defend deep and cling on. They imposed themselves in spells and forced Arsenal to suffer.

“Not only that, in periods they play, have courage, and have a great understanding of what they have to do throughout the game. It’s been extremely tough, really happy that we’ve done it.”

Arteta left with his anger still burning, but also with confirmation that his side can absorb controversy, ride out chaos and still find a way to win. How long they can keep doing both may yet define their season.