Arsenal learn new VAR verdict after Sunderland penalty controversy as Mikel Arteta vindicated

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel unanimously ruled that Sunderland's penalty against Arsenal should not have been awarded, but there was disagreement over the involvement of VAR.

Referee John Brooks pointed to the spot in the match earlier this month after deeming that Ezri Konsa had pulled Dan Ballard to the ground in the box.

Mikel Arteta was furious at that decision, labelling it "unacceptable" and claiming that the foul should have been given the other way for a "judo roll" from Ballard.

All five members of the KMI panel agreed with Arteta that Brooks made the wrong call in awarding that penalty.

However, they were split on whether VAR was correct not to intervene and allow the on-field decision to stand.

Three of those on the panel felt that it was not a clear and obvious error, while the other two ruled that VAR should have overturned it.

David Raya saved from Enzo Le Fee

AFP/Getty

An explanation alongside the verdict stated: "Panellists assess the referee’s decision first, before considering the VAR’s actions. It is also important to note that the Premier League operates with a high threshold for VAR intervention.

“In this instance, the panel concluded that, although the referee made an error and should not have awarded a penalty kick, the decision did not meet the threshold for a clear and obvious error.

"Therefore, it was not deemed a situation in which the VAR should have intervened."

Arsenal contacted Pro Ref over the decision, seeking an explanation for the award of the penalty. Asked later that week about the body's response, Arteta said he wanted to keep it private.

The incident did not prove costly for Arsenal, with David Raya making a sensational save to keep out Enzo Le Fee's penalty when the match was still goalless.

Arsenal then took the lead a couple of minutes later through Bruno Guimaraes and went on to win the match 2-0.