‘Unacceptable’ – Mikel Arteta launches furious rant about referee decisions that ‘can change the course of the season’

MIKEL ARTETA raged at referee John Brooks after Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Sunderland. The Gunners withstood plenty of pressure from the Black Cats to come away from the Stadium of Light with all three points. Arsenal players surround the referee after he gave Sunderland a penalty Credit: Reuters Mikel Arteta protests to the fourth official Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Sunderland spurned a golden chance to take the lead on 56 minutes, when David Raya saved Enzo Le Fee’s penalty. Bruno Guimaraes fired Arsenal into the lead barely two minutes later, with Bukayo Saka converting from the spot late on to double his side’s advantage. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Despite watching his side triumph, Arteta, 44, was furious with Brooks’ decision to award Sunderland a penalty. The official blew for a spot kick after watching Ezri Konsa wrestle Dan Ballard to the ground during a long throw routine. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Arteta raged: “It’s unacceptable, at this level it can change the course of the season, the championship. “I’ve seen it ten times over to be sure. When I saw it live, I thought it’s not possible. It cannot happen. “The 27 years I’ve been in football, it’s not a penalty in any case, in any context, at any level, in any league.” Arteta continued his rant when speaking to the BBC, later telling Match of the Day: “We had really good periods but didn’t score and after that they can suffocate you especially when they decided to be really physical and very direct and we had to overcome a situation that in my opinion was absolutely unacceptable at this level. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS “I’m very worried and very sad because this can never be a penalty ever. “Are you surprised? Are you surprised? No. OK. “It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri does nothing. Just watch it. We have a lot of cameras and VAR we have to take responsibility to protect the game. “Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing. “I loved the save from David the way the team reacted, the way we go again and we go against everything, but this should never happen, it’s not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense. “I’m making it very clear publicly because it’s for the game, it’s not only for Arsenal, this cannot happen at this level.” Arteta was booked by whistler Brooks during the first half for continuously stepping out of his technical area. The Spaniard bizarrely motioned as if to hug the referee, only for Brooks to turn away. Arsenal’s win on Wearside saw them make it four wins out of four so far this season in the Premier League The Gunners will return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Ipswich in the Carabao Cup. Ref John brooks held firm with his decision Credit: Getty Comment now