Mikel Arteta’s delight at Arsenal’s latest win was tempered by his fury with the referee John Brooks as the champions triumphed 2-0 at Sunderland on Saturday night. Before Bruno Guimarães gave Arsenal the lead in a tight match that Régis Le Bris’s team were arguably unlucky to lose, David Raya made a brilliant save to deny Enzo Le Fée from the penalty spot. Arteta, however, did not believe that Ezri Konsa had hauled Dan Ballard to the ground, instead blaming the Sunderland man for pulling down his opponent.
It’s a judo roll from the opponent. We have to take responsibility to protect the game. Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the win and our momentum.
It should never have happened.” Arteta, who was booked in the first half for persistently stepping out of his technical area, hailed Guimarães’s goal as “beautiful” after watching Bukayo Saka scored a second goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time, when Sunderland’s Reinildo was sent off for a second bookable offence. Le Bris was left with mixed feelings. After the first half we were a bit reserved with the ball I think, but our second half was excellent.
I think it was very good goalkeeping rather than a poor penalty. Raya was absolutely impressive today. We were flexible tactically because this Arsenal team creates chances.
Today we found a solution to stop them and we created chances as well so it shows that we are getting better. It’s not enough yet but we are close.”
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