“This is not acceptable at this level,” Mikel Arteta fumes over Sunderland penalty decision in 2-0 win

September 13, 2026

This-is-not-acceptable-at-this-level-Mikel-Arteta-fumes-over-Sunderland-penalty-decision-in-2-0-win — @BeanymanSports

Key Takeaways

Mikel Arteta strongly criticized the penalty awarded to Sunderland, describing the incident as “a judo roll” and stating “this is not acceptable at this level.”
The Arsenal manager singled out Bruno Guimarães for high praise following a decisive goal and an assist to Bukayo Saka, labeling his finish “incredible.”
Arteta admitted Arsenal drew motivation from last season’s late dropped points at Sunderland, acknowledging his team “suffered, but we’ve done it” to secure the 2-0 win.

Anger over penalty controversy at the Stadium of Light

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made no secret of his frustration following his side’s 2-0 Premier League victory against Sunderland, sharply questioning the late penalty awarded to the hosts. Despite securing all three points following an arduous week of fixtures, the Gunners boss insisted the decision was completely baffling.

Addressing the controversial incident after the match, Arteta expressed bewilderment that refereeing officials and video assistants reached that conclusion. “Look, the first thing that we have to discuss is this, and this is not acceptable at this level because it was a beautiful game of football, with two teams, with an atmosphere in this stadium that was unbelievable,” Arteta stated. “And I watched it 20 times and I cannot find a way to understand how they even think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene. So I don’t know what to think, really.”

Pressed further on why the call provoked such a strong reaction, Arteta labeled the challenge entirely benign from his team’s standpoint. “That is a judo roll. We don’t do nothing. It’s a judo roll and he brings the player on the floor. So how can this happen? I mean, I don’t know. I cannot find an explanation, honestly,” he said, adding that such calls carry massive ramifications: “I’m sad that we have to discuss, in such a beautiful game, something at this level that has the gravity of that, because that changes the course of the season and it can cost you the championship.”

Praise for Bruno Guimarães and defensive resolve

Arsenal preserved their clean sheet largely thanks to David Raya denying the spot-kick, an intervention Arteta called “incredible” before shifting focus to the decisive attacking display of Bruno Guimarães. The midfielder made an emphatic impression off the bench by finding the net and setting up Bukayo Saka.

“Coming back to this one, I watched it 20 times. I watched the penalty 10, that one 20. Unbelievable,” Arteta commented regarding Guimarães’ goal. “The personality that he has. He comes in, and this is a special game for him as well and what it means for him, how he grabs the game, the decision that he’s made and the two actions. The goal is incredible. And the assist as well to Bukayo, to put him through in front of goal, is unbelievable as well.”

Asked if players were banging on his door to start upcoming matches, the manager underlined the collective commitment needed after facing Chelsea and Napoli earlier in the week. “They all are, to be fair,” Arteta responded. “And we had a really tough week, as I said, and they all played. They’ve all been really, really important. And that’s what we’re going to need because every three days, to maintain this level, otherwise impossible.”

Overcoming the threat of Brian Brobbey

Arteta also credited Sunderland for pushing Arsenal throughout the match, particularly singling out the physical test presented by striker Brian Brobbey. “Yeah, really tough, really intelligent, the way they do it as a team and isolate him in these actions,” the manager remarked. “And he’s extremely good at that. And then how they run off him as well. It’s not only him, the way they connect with him after he gets on the ball.”

Arsenal took motivation from their previous visit to Sunderland, where a last-gasp equalizer had denied them victory ten months earlier. Surviving late pressure this time provided real satisfaction. “Yes, because we still have something in the tummy, and the manner that it happened as well,” Arteta explained. “And we knew that we were going to have to go through certain difficult moments and very chaotic moments inside our box to earn the right to win the game. And we’ve done it. We suffered, but we’ve done it.”