Arsenal to seek Pro Ref explanation over Ezri Konsa penalty

Arsenal will ask Pro Ref to explain the decision to award Sunderland a penalty during Saturday’s victory over the Black Cats.

The club wants clarification on how referee John Brooks concluded that Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa had committed a holding offence against Sunderland captain Dan Ballard inside the penalty area.

Brooks awarded the spot-kick after Konsa and Ballard became involved in a physical contest. The decision was reviewed and supported by the video assistant referee (VAR).

“The referee’s call of penalty to Sunderland for a holding offence by Konsa on Ballard was checked and confirmed by VAR,” said a statement from the Premier League Match Centre.

Although Arsenal went on to win the match, the incident has led to concern within the club that significant refereeing decisions could have an excessive influence on the outcome of games.

Manager Mikel Arteta criticised the decision after the final whistle and Arsenal now intend to discuss it with Pro Ref, the professional referees’ body, to gain a clearer understanding of the judgement.

“This is not acceptable at this level,” said Arteta.

“I watched it 20 times and I cannot find a way to understand how they think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene.

“So I don’t know what to think. I’m sad that we have to discuss this after such a beautiful game, that at this level has the gravity of that. Because that changes the course of the season and it can cost you the championship.

“At this level, with all the work we put in, this cannot happen.”