Arsenal demand VAR explanation over Sunderland penalty controversy

Arsenal will contact Pro Ref over the controversial penalty awarded against them against Sunderland.

The Gunners came away from the Stadium of Light with their perfect start to the season maintained after a 2-0 win.

The match turned on a two-minute spell just before the hour mark, when David Raya made a superb penalty save and Bruno Guimaraes then opened the scoring at the other end.

Sunderland were awarded a spot kick after Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have dragged Dan Ballard to the ground from a long throw and VAR upheld that decision.

Mikel Arteta was furious and described the incident as "unacceptable", believing Ballard had performed a “judo roll” on Konsa to initiate the contact.

Raging: Mikel Arteta

Getty

"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. This cannot happen.

"I have been involved in football for 27, 28 years. It's not a penalty in any game, in any context, in any league."

Arsenal have reached out to Pro Ref chief Howard Webb, seeking a further explanation for the award of the penalty.

As with Arteta's comments immediately after the match, there is a feeling that the significance of the decision should not be diminished just because the north Londoners ultimately won the match.

First goal: Bruno Guimaraes

PA

It is viewed as a decision that could have decided the game and ultimately had a wider impact on the season.

The club want greater consistency from the Premier League's officials, with this the second decision in four matches that has left them frustrated.

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel unanimously ruled that Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Guimaraes in the win over Aston Villa last month.

The Brazilian was brought down by Ian Maatsen in stoppage time but referee Jarred Gillett waved away his appeals and VAR James Bell did not intervene.

The KMI Panel voted 5:0 that the challenge was "reckless" and should have resulted in a penalty and a second yellow card for the Villa defender.