Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was furious at referee John Brooks during the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Sunderland.
The Spaniard lashed out at the officials in his post-match interview with TNT Sports, and he was also shown a yellow card during the match.
The north Londoners saw a penalty given against them at the Stadium of Light as Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have manhandled Dan Ballard to the floor at a Sunderland corner.
VAR checked Brooks’ on-field decision, ratifying it, and the referee pointed to the spot as he had before.
In a post on X during the match, the official ‘Premier League Match Centre account wrote: “The referee’s call of penalty to Sunderland for a holding offence by Konsa on Ballard was checked and confirmed by VAR.
#SUNARS – 54’
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 12, 2026
The referee’s call of penalty to Sunderland for a holding offence by Konsa on Ballard was checked and confirmed by VAR.
REF: “He’s all over him at the near post facing the wrong way”.
VAR: “I’m happy that it’s a holding offence. The foul is confirmed. Confirming…
Brooks communicated with the VAR, saying: “He’s all over him at the near post facing the wrong way.”.
With the video assistant replying: “I’m happy that it’s a holding offence. The foul is confirmed. Confirming the on-field decision of penalty.”
Arteta was raging on the touchline, and vented his frustrations once more at full time when asked about the incident on television.
“I'm so upset,” he said.
“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.”
