Mikel Arteta was fuming at the end of Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Sunderland, with the manager particularly unhappy about the contentious penalty awarded to the Black Cats during the match.
Sunderland were a very physical team, and there were plenty of duels throughout the game. However, the decision to award a penalty after Daniel Ballard and Ezri Konsa tussled inside the Arsenal box left Arteta and some fans baffled.
Raya saves Arsenal from penalty setback
Thankfully for the Gunners, David Raya saved the spot kick and kept Arsenal in the game. His intervention proved important as Arsenal went on to open the scoring shortly afterwards and eventually secured a 2-0 victory.
Because his team won the match, it would have been understandable for Arteta to put the incident behind him. Instead, the Arsenal boss continued to make his feelings clear and spoke about the decision during his post match press conference.
The penalty incident became one of the major talking points despite Arsenal eventually securing the result. While the Gunners were able to overcome the decision, there remains frustration over how such incidents are handled during matches.
Hackett backs referee’s decision
However, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes the referee made the right call. He argued that grappling inside the penalty area has been allowed to go unpunished for too long and welcomed the official taking action.
He said via Football London:
“Amazing – they are conditioned and have allowed grappling to blight our game. Good to see a ref do something about it.”
Hackett’s comments offer a different perspective on the incident, with the former PGMOL chief believing the referee was right to intervene rather than allow the tussle between Ballard and Konsa to continue.
The most frustrating part of the situation from an Arsenal point of view is the inconsistency surrounding such decisions. While the penalty was awarded against them this time, similar incidents in other matches involving different teams might not result in a spot kick.
That uncertainty is likely to remain a source of frustration for Arteta and Arsenal, particularly when decisions can have such a significant impact on matches.
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🙄What an idiot and just the bs put into these officials heads which makes for bad officiating. Trying to mold and influence the game, rather than make the correct call.
What wrong with what he said, the media were saying it’s only Arsenal playing the grappling game and we were allowed to get one title from pushing grappling to the limits – and lazy Pro Ref have simply swallowed the media line.
What Hacket is clearly saying is it’s a clear change in policy, to ref corners different this season, to get Arsenal and anyone who wants to copy Arsenal in trying to win a title through cheating.
That’s not the first ridiculous penalty that’s going against us this season, is it? No other club will be judged as harshly as us on this will they?
This season Pro Ref determined to limit the oodles of extra time added on that is thanks to VAR, they want to shorten VAR times to getting to decision, they want to cut down on time wasting at corners and throw ins, they want to make grappling and cage fighting at corners and long throws a thing of the past… BUT they don’t have working solutions to any of that. Working solution as in consistent and fair across all matches every week. It’s just one big BETA test out there. Stop defending Pro Ref, they don’t have consistent and fair solutions to what they saw as problems. They are wrecking the Premiership Brand that’s all about the physicality and naturalness of its football.
Were there even big problems? These new “sterile” corners devoid of any physicality and challenges – who wants to watch that type of football?
The policy to cut time added on that VAR has brought to football, and shorten VAR calls with less Ref at screen, didn’t lead to just margin call mistakes at Old Trafford – everyone outside the VAR bunker saw a hugely offside Enzo trying to score in front of goal, defence and keeper reacting to it. These incredible mistakes are leading to incredible unfairness and incredible inconsistency.
The more we hear the old refs speak, the more the mind of all refs is revealed. what a weird and unwonderful place the mind of every single ref is. They don’t come across as thoughtful sharp minded people. Who was the one who hated Klopp and Liverpool? They all seem to have a grudge on their shoulders.
Pro Ref needs to be disbanded. Prem League should step in and say we decide the formulae for how Prem League is reffed, not you. On your bike wierdo’s you are making a farce of our business model.
Breaking፡
Arsenal to contact Pro Ref over the Sunderland penalty incident.
Yesssss! If that trend persists we won’t score from set pieces and opponents get countless penalties derailing our back to back 90 year ambitions. Right timely measure by the AFC!!!!!!!
Hackett is a muppet towing the line, don’t expect anything less from him. I guess he missed the part where Ballard had Konza’s shirt and judo-rolled him to the ground. Then again, maybe he did see it, but refs backing refs even when they are wrong.
Wonder what his take was on the horrible call in the Utd vs City game? Probably side with the ref as well, and did not see Enzo interfere with Martinez.
Get rid of VAR; incompetent refs, continued mistakes and the only change we have seen is the name.
PGMOL to “Pro Refs” (what a joke). Time to start firing people at this point; costing clubs points and money at the end of the season, and their “apologies” are about as useful as tits on a bull.
👍Durand, just think if we had an additional two points and +1 GD given to us during the ’23/’24 season. That’s how crucial these screw ups can be. Yet, people like this Hackett want to change how teams play even to the point of justifying and approving of incorrect calls. It’s wrong and Hackett and others should be the first to realize it rather than the last.
I agree with you. Problem with too many refs is how they “interpret” the game, instead of APPLYING the rules.
Perfect example was the Utd vs City game.
Idiot ref “interpreted” the rules and in his vapid mind Enzo did not interfere with the play.
However, the rule book is clear, Enzo interfered and the goal should not have counted. Get rid of VAR, it has slowed the game, made it less exciting, and now the incompetence or refs is on full display.
Hackett pipes up on a regular basis either to try and stay relevant or because a journo needing a story waves an envelope under his nose.
It would seem that Hackett has the same affliction that Dean has. They both fail to see the obvious, just to back up a mate.
That’s why he himself was the worst referee of all…trying to support what he used to do…plus he is a Man Utd supporter so hating Arsenal is in the blood….but whether you hate Arsenal in anyway, Arsenal believes in GOD forever and we will always win with or against us…..