'Today the game was unprotected' - Arteta fumes but Arsenal survive
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration over a penalty decision during his team's 2-0 victory against Sunderland. Despite the win, Arteta criticized the officiating and the use of VAR, arguing that the game was left unprotected.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the consistency and impact of VAR in professional football.
Figure caption, Arsenal hold off energetic Sunderland to continue perfect title defence
Arsenal 's duality was there for all to see in their 2-0 win at Sunderland : gritty defence and moments of genius.
But things could have turned out very differently had a crucial 121-second period gone the other way.
After close to an hour of physical, full-blooded football, Sunderland were given a penalty when Ezri Konsa fouled Dan Ballard at a corner.
It proved the turning point - David Raya tipped Enzo le Fee's spot kick on to the post, and just over two minutes later, Arsenal substitute Bruno Guimaraes crashed in the opener off the underside of the crossbar.
Arteta's side left the north-east of England with their ninth successive Premier League victory. Not since the days of the Invincibles, in 2003-04, have the Gunners done that.
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