Its becoming a familiar scenario: a decision goes against Arsenal and Mikel Arteta cuts a furious figure in his post-match media commitments. The Spaniards brow is furrowed and he glares at his inquisitor with anger seemingly seeping out of every pore.It was the same script at the Stadium of Light on Saturday night following Arsenals gutsy 2-0 win against Sunderland. Artetas team were hugely impressive, staring down the hosts blood and thunder approach anda partisan crowd to emerge with a victory that once again reinforced the belief it will take something special for the reigning champions to be dethroned.They were a long way from their fluent best, in part due to a draining week that included wins at home to Chelsea and at Napoli and in part due to a Sunderland performance that would have overwhelmed most teams in the Premier League.But they found a way and boarded the flight south having maintained their 100% record.Arteta ought to have been thrilled but, instead of heaping praise on his players, opted to use his media duties to talk about the penalty awarded to the hosts after referee John Brooks and VAR Stuart Attwell deemed Ezri Konsa had fouled Dan Ballard inside the box.According to Arteta, the foul ought to have been given the other way round, accusing former Gunner Ballard of performing a judo roll on the England international. Enzo Le Fee saw his spot-kick brilliantly saved by David Raya before Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka netted to sink the Wearsiders.Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing, he fumed. Table of ContentsArtetas Arsenal not used to seeing decisions go against themArteta has duty to protect the game, not just ArsenalArtetas Arsenal not used to seeing decisions go against themCry me a river, Mikel.Does Arteta care about the protection of the game? Of course not.Was he concerned when Arsenal were found to have been, along with Chelsea, the biggest beneficiaries of refereeing and VAR errors last season, according to the Premier Leagues key match incidents (KMI) panel? Of course not.Was he concerned when his side became the first in Premier League history not to receive a red card or concede a penalty in a single season last term? Of course not.You could feasibly argue inconsistencies in refereeing are matched by inconsistencies in Artetas care for the game.This was a pre-planned attack by the Arsenal boss, no doubt mindful that at some point a key decision would go against his side, especially given the clampdown on wrestling inside the penalty area, a transgression made into an art form by the North London side in their title-winning season.Is it just Arteta who could benefit from a lesson in humility and integrity? Absolutely not. Too often managers are using their media interactions as an opportunity to manipulate the narrative, to apply pressure and to alter perceptions.If it wasnt so transparent itd be genius. And yet, turn on any TV channel or radio station over the past two days and your ears would have been subjected to a talking head discussing the merits of Artetas argument.Does that mean Arteta was wrong in his judgement of the penalty call? No, on reflection, he had a valid point. But where does it end? It simply cannot be that every single decision is correct even with VAR as a fallback. The VAR is still a human being and most decisions require an element of subjectivity.It cannot be that every perceived human error is met with outrage, whether it is faux or genuine.Arteta has duty to protect the game, not just ArsenalArteta talks about protecting the game. As someone in his lofty position, he has greater leverage to do exactly that and Saturday was the perfect opportunity.His team played well and won. Why not come out, acknowledge he felt the penalty call was a mistake, but then throw his support behind referees, the VAR, and offer an appreciation of the difficulties of a job that will never, ever produce results that satisfy everyone?Idealistic? Perhaps.But, had he done that, Arteta would have enhanced a reputation that is frequently tarnished by his touchline antics and perhaps even swung popular opinion in his, and his teams, favour.As it is, he didnt and it was another bruising weekend for the Premier League and its referees.Arteta did get one thing right; the game does need protecting. Unfortunately, it is from the likes of him. Topics Arsenal F.C. Ben White Bertrand Traore Brian Brobbey Bukayo Saka Chemsdine Talbi Chris Rigg Christian Norgaard Cristhian Mosquera Dan Ballard Dan Neil David Raya Declan Rice Dennis Cirkin Eliezer Mayenda Enzo Le Fee Ethan Nwaneri Gabriel Jesus Gabriel Magalhaes Gabriel Martinelli granit xhaka Habib Diarra Jobe Bellingham Jurrien Timber Kai Havertz Kepa Arrizabalaga Leandro Trossard Luke O'Nien Marc Guiu Martin degaard Martin Zubimendi Max Dowman Mikel Arteta Mikel Merino Myles Lewis-Skelly Nectarios Triantis Neto Nordi Mukiele Omar Alderete piero hincapie Pierre Ekwah Premier League Reinildo Mandava Riccardo Calafiori Robin Roefs Salis Abdul Samed Simon Adingra Simon Moore Sunderland A.F.C. Trai Hume Viktor Gyokeres William Saliba Wilson Isidor Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read ProRef acknowledge error of judgement over Haalands Manchester derby-winning goal Nicholas McGee 13th September, 2026 It was completely clear Maresca claims he knew Haaland goal was not offside Nicholas McGee 13th September, 2026 Carrick confused by VAR decision to allow Haaland goal as he defends United derby display Nicholas McGee 13th September, 2026 Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City: Marescas 10 men claim controversial derby win Nicholas McGee 13th September, 2026 Rangers 3-0 Celtic: Neil scores twice as McInnes men thrash Old Firm rivals Jon Fisher 13th September, 2026 Man United v Man City: Preview, expected line-ups and stats Nicholas McGee 13th September, 2026
