Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has strongly criticised the decision to award Sunderland a penalty during the Gunners’ Premier League victory, describing the incident as unacceptable.
Referee John Brooks pointed to the spot after Ezri Konsa and Sunderland’s Ballard went to ground inside the Arsenal penalty area.
Although VAR reviewed the incident, the decision to award the penalty was upheld.
Arteta was furious with the call and questioned why the officials had failed to overturn it.
“It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri [Konsa] does nothing. Just watch it,” Arteta said.
“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.”
Arteta said he had watched the incident repeatedly but still could not understand why the penalty was given.
“This should never happen, it’s not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense,” he said.
“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.
“It’s not acceptable, I’ve watched it 20 times and can’t think of why it was given.”
The decision came as Premier League officials continue their crackdown on grappling during set pieces, with referees instructed to punish holding and wrestling more strictly inside the penalty area.
Former England midfielder Karen Carney suggested Konsa had also taken a risk by getting involved in the tussle.
“With the new laws trying to get rid of the grappling, Konsa is all over Ballard. You have to be looking at the ball,” Carney said.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown added: “Ballard was holding Konsa’s arm but you run the risk. They want to stamp down on it so there is no point arguing about it.”
However, former Wales defender Ashley Williams backed Arteta’s view.
“It’s absolutely not a penalty. He has got it completely wrong, Konsa’s shoulder is pulled down by Ballard and he lands on top,” Williams said.
The penalty decision could have changed the match, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya produced a crucial save to deny Le Fee and keep his side ahead.
It was only Raya’s second Premier League penalty save. The goalkeeper read the effort and stretched to his full length to tip the ball onto the post.
Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes praised Raya for keeping the Gunners in the game.
“He keeps us alive in the game, that unbelievable moment saving the penalty,” Guimaraes told TNT Sports.
“I think after this moment we [took from it] a big confidence to play forward and score our goal.”
