Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticised referee John Brooks after Sunderland were awarded a penalty during the champions' 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Arteta argued that defender Ezri Konsa did not foul Dan Ballard, instead accusing the Sunderland player of pulling his opponent down, and called the decision "unacceptable at this level" given the potential cost to Arsenal's win and momentum.

David Raya saved Enzo Le Fée's resulting penalty before Bruno Guimarães put Arsenal ahead, with Bukayo Saka adding a stoppage-time penalty after Sunderland's Reinildo was sent off for a second yellow card. Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris said he felt both pride and disappointment, praising his side's improved second-half performance and physical approach against one of Europe's strongest teams, while acknowledging Raya's penalty save was down to good goalkeeping rather than a poor spot-kick.