Arsenal have asked Pro Ref, the Premier League's independent refereeing body, for a meeting to explain the penalty awarded to Sunderland during Saturday's match, which manager Mikel Arteta branded "unacceptable at this level". David Raya saved Enzo Le Fée's resulting spot-kick and Arsenal went on to win 1-0 through a Bruno Guimarães goal, but the champions remain unhappy with the decision and fear that inconsistent officiating could ultimately affect the outcome of the title race.

The penalty followed an incident between Ezri Konsa and Dan Ballard at the Stadium of Light, and Arsenal want to know why the video assistant referee did not intervene after John Brooks pointed to the spot. The club is also expected to raise a separate incident from last month's win at Aston Villa, where the Premier League's key match incidents panel ruled unanimously that Arsenal should have been given a penalty for a foul by Ian Maatsen on Guimarães. Arsenal, like other clubs, hold regular dialogue with Pro Ref and will seek clarity on how similar corner-based incidents will be officiated in future.