Mikel Arteta has confirmed that private discussions have taken place with refereeing officials following his public criticism of a decision in Arsenal's recent win. The Arsenal manager described a penalty awarded against his side as 'unacceptable' after reviewing the incident multiple times.
Arteta made the comments after his team's 2-0 victory at Sunderland last week, a result that helped maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season. The Gunners sit top of the table with 12 points from four games, having scored eight goals and conceded just one. Their next challenge is an away fixture against sixth-placed Brighton on Saturday.
The controversy stemmed from a penalty awarded to Sunderland when Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have fouled Dan Ballard. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya saved the resulting spot-kick from Enzo le Fee, and the visitors went on to win with goals from Bruno Guimarães and a late Bukayo Saka penalty. Arteta, who has been involved in professional football for nearly three decades, was unequivocal in his assessment.
"This can change the course of a season," Arteta said. "It's not acceptable. I have watched it 10 times to make sure." He elaborated that the nature of the challenge made a penalty award impossible in his view.
When asked if the club had received any communication from the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), Arteta indicated the matter would stay behind closed doors. "It is a conversation that will remain private," he stated. He stressed that the dialogue was not about seeking an apology but about aligning on interpretations to improve the game collectively.
"It's not about an apology," Arteta explained. "It's just agreeing that the decision should have been different or not, maybe they have a different opinion." He added that such private forums are essential for managers and officials to exchange views.
The incident and subsequent talks come amid heightened scrutiny of officiating standards. Arteta rejected any suggestion that he was leveraging his position unfairly, insisting his role is to defend his club and players while striving to be fair. Arsenal's strong early-season form, which includes a 4-2 win at Ipswich last weekend, provides the backdrop. Key contributors like top scorer Bukayo Saka, with three goals this term, will be vital as the squad manages absences including William Saliba, Ben White, and Piero Hincapié. Fans can check the latest team news and the full squad list ahead of the Brighton clash, with the updated standings showing Arsenal's five-point lead.
More detail at Daily Mirror Football
