Arsenal snatched a wild 2-0 victory at Sunderland, extending their Premier League winning streak to nine games, a feat not seen since the legendary Invincibles of 2003-04. But make no mistake, this win hung by a thread, salvaged by a breathtaking 121-second swing that had Mikel Arteta absolutely fuming despite the three points.
Arteta’s Outrage: “The Game Was Unprotected!”
It all blew up close to the hour mark in a physical, full-blooded match. Sunderland got a penalty call after Ezri Konsa fouled Dan Ballard at a corner, a decision that set Arteta off. The manager, who even got booked in the first half for repeatedly leaving his technical area, was beside himself. “It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri does nothing. Just watch it,” he told BBC Match of the Day. He laid into the officiating, declaring, “Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing.” He even said he watched it 20 times and couldn’t think why it was given, adding he was “very worried & very sad” about the call, making it clear publicly this “cannot happen at this level.” Referee John Brooks took a few seconds before pointing to the spot, and VAR stuck with it. Former England midfielder Karen Carney noted that with new laws cracking down on grappling at corners, “Konsa is all over Ballard. You have to be looking at the ball.” Martin Keown, a former Arsenal defender, agreed that “Ballard was holding Konsa’s arm but you run the risk.” However, former Wales defender Ashley Williams called it “absolutely not a penalty,” claiming “Konsa’s shoulder is pulled down by Ballard and he lands on top. It’s like a perfect toss in judo. It’s very clever by Ballard but in no way is it a penalty.” Talk about a split decision!
Raya’s Heroics & Guimaraes’ Thunderclap
That contentious penalty brought David Raya face to face with Enzo le Fee. With Sunderland pushing hard, Raya pulled off a “magnificent” save, his second Premier League penalty stop, stretching to tip the ball onto the post. “He keeps us alive in the game, that unbelievable moment saving the penalty,” Bruno Guimaraes later said. And just over two minutes, 121 seconds, later, that confidence surged through the team. Guimaraes crashed in the opener off the underside of the crossbar, flipping the entire narrative. As Thomas Frank, Raya’s former manager, put it, “This penalty save is exceptional. He gets out so quick. For me he’s the best goalkeeper.” Without Raya’s intervention, this whole story could’ve gone sideways.
Leaving the north-east of England with another win, Arsenal continues their perfect title defense. It’s a huge boost for the Gunners to navigate these chaotic moments and still pull out a victory. They’re showing that gritty defense and those moments of genius are keeping them squarely in the hunt, no matter how much their manager might be tearing his hair out after the final whistle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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