Arsenal to demand answers from Pro Ref after disputed Sunderland penalty amid VAR controversy

Arsenal will formally contact refereeing body Pro Ref to demand clarity over the penalty awarded against them during their 2-0 Premier League win at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, with manager Mikel Arteta describing the decision as “unacceptable”.

Referee John Brooks penalised Ezri Konsa for an adjudged foul on Dan Ballard in the second half, with VAR declining to intervene. Enzo Le Fee stepped up to take the spot-kick but was brilliantly denied by David Raya, and Arsenal went on to win comfortably through goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka — preserving their 100 per cent start to the season.

Despite the result, Arteta made clear his frustration at a decision he felt could have derailed his side’s campaign. “It is not acceptable,” he said. “I watched it 20 times and I cannot find a way to understand how they’d think to give a penalty in that situation or the way the VAR has to intervene. At this level with all the work we put in, this cannot happen.”

The incident arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for English football’s officiating bodies. Just hours after Manchester City’s 2-1 derby win over United on Sunday, Pro Ref released a statement admitting that VAR had made an “error in judgement” in allowing Erling Haaland’s winner to stand.

Haaland had initially been flagged offside before VAR overturned the call, ruling him level with Patrick Dorgu’s foot. However, Chelsea loanee Enzo Fernandez — who was in an offside position — lunged for the ball before it reached Haaland. Pro Ref’s Match Centre determined that because Fernandez did not make contact, the goal could stand, a conclusion that United defender Lisandro Martinez called an “injustice”. Pro Ref subsequently acknowledged the goal should not have been awarded and confirmed it had contacted Manchester United.

The back-to-back controversies have intensified scrutiny of VAR’s application in the Premier League, with two of the division’s leading clubs now formally seeking explanations within the space of days.