Every word of explosive Mikel Arteta interview as Arsenal manager fumes over VAR controversy

The Gunners made it four wins from four this season in the league with a 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light, but they were put to the test.

The hosts had a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the second half when Ezri Konsa was deemed to have dragged down Dan Ballard in the box.

The referee gave that decision on the pitch and it was not overturned by VAR, who decided: “I’m happy that it’s a holding offence. The foul is confirmed. Confirming the on-field decision of penalty.”

Arteta was left furious at that decision, even if David Raya then saved the spot kick. Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka then scored at the other end.

Here is every word Arteta said in a tense post-match interview...

Penalised: Ezri Konsa

Getty

Reporter: Is that one of the tougher tests you've faced this season?

Arteta: Yeah, it's a huge win, but it could have been something very different.

Reporter: In what way?

Arteta: You know in what way. In the way that they could have changed the game.

Reporter: Who could have changed the game?

Arteta: You know who.

Reporter: Are you referring to the penalty save?

Arteta: Yes.

Reporter: The penalty decision?

Arteta: Yes. I'm so upset. It's unacceptable at this level. Unacceptable. This can change the course of a season, the championship, and it's not acceptable. I've seen it ten times to make sure because I watch 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.

Reporter: In your view, it's not sustained holding?

Arteta: Not in my view, in any view that has played football, 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.

Reporter: Have you spoken to the referee?

Arteta: No, I will do it now.

Reporter: David Raya did manage to save that penalty and it ends up completely changing momentum. You go up the other end and Bruno Guimaraes manages to score.

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

Reporter: How pleased are you for Bruno?

Arteta: You know what it means. to play with the personality that he plays. He decided the game with the goal and the assist. Unbelievable.

Reporter: Raya again, how impressed are you with his performance?

Arteta: Unbelievable. Again. He's a player that decides football matches when we need. Big credit to Sunderland as well, the way they play, the way they are coached. What they do because they are a really good time. 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. 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.

Reporter: How important was it to keep that winning run going?

Arteta: That's what we wanted. We had a really tough week, playing Chelsea first. Then going back to Napoli, winning there again, then coming here and winning.