Arsenal are set to request clarification from refereeing body Pro Ref following the contentious penalty decision that went against them during Saturday's 2-0 victory at Sunderland, a result that kept the reigning champions unbeaten this season.
The flashpoint arrived midway through the second half at the Stadium of Light, when referee John Brooks pointed to the spot after Ezri Konsa was judged to have fouled Dan Ballard following a long throw into the box. The decision, which centred on an alleged holding offence, was reviewed and upheld by the video assistant referee. The Premier League Match Centre later confirmed in a statement that Brooks' call had been "checked and confirmed by VAR."
Despite the setback, Arsenal survived the moment in dramatic fashion. Goalkeeper David Raya produced an outstanding save to deny Enzo Le Fée's spot-kick, and within minutes Bruno Guimarães put the visitors ahead. Bukayo Saka added a second later in the game to secure the win and preserve Arsenal's perfect record to start the campaign.
Manager Mikel Arteta was scathing in his assessment of the penalty award after the final whistle, insisting the officiating had been flawed. "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 Arsenal boss went further, likening the coming-together between Konsa and Ballard to a martial arts move rather than a foul. "It is a judo roll. That's what it is. This cannot happen. I have been involved in football for 27, 28 years. It's not a penalty in any game, in any context, in any league," he said, adding that the club is worried such decisions could have long-term consequences. "That changes the course of the season and it can cost you the championship."
His view found support from television pundits. On Match of the Day, Ashley Williams and Thomas Frank both argued Sunderland should not have been awarded the penalty, with Williams comparing Ballard's movement to "a perfect hip toss in judo" and insisting Arsenal, if anything, deserved a free-kick.
It is understood Arsenal formally contacted Pro Ref on Monday to request a meeting, aiming to understand why VAR did not overturn Brooks' on-field call. The club, along with other Premier League sides, maintains regular dialogue with the officiating body, but this case has heightened their frustration given a pattern of contentious rulings in recent weeks.
Arsenal are also likely to reference an incident from last month's win over Aston Villa, when the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel unanimously agreed the club should have been given a penalty and Villa defender Ian Maatsen a second yellow card for a foul on Guimarães. The panel had ruled the challenge "reckless," yet no action was taken on the pitch at the time.
The timing of Arsenal's complaint follows a separate admission from Pro Ref that VAR made an "error in judgement" during the Manchester derby, when Erling Haaland's goal for Manchester City was allowed to stand despite City's Josko Gvardiol appearing to be involved in an offside passage of play. Manchester United were reportedly informed of the mistake by Pro Ref shortly after that match.
With Arsenal chasing consistency in decision-making as the title race unfolds, the club's officials are expected to press Pro Ref on whether similar throw-in and corner scenarios to the one involving Konsa and Ballard will be treated the same way in future matches.
Based on reporting from standard-football, independent-football, bbc-sport-football, and guardian-football.