Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta criticized a controversial penalty awarded to Sunderland during their match, arguing it was incorrectly given and could alter the course of the season. The club has contacted Pro Referee chief Howard Webb seeking an explanation. This follows another incident where Arsenal were denied a penalty in their previous game against Aston Villa, which was later ruled by the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel to have been missed.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In a recent Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa, controversy erupted over a penalty call against Arsenal. The game was significantly affected by the referee’s decision, leading to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressing strong dissatisfaction with the ruling, describing it as "unacceptable" and questioning its impact on the season.
The incident occurred when a player appeared to fall in the box without clear contact from an opponent, resulting in a penalty that changed the course of the match. Although Arsenal eventually won, they are concerned this decision could have long-term consequences for their league standings.
Arsenal has contacted Pro Ref chief Howard Webb for further clarification on the penalty call and is seeking greater consistency in officiating decisions from the Premier League’s officials. This incident follows another controversial decision two matches prior that also frustrated the team. The club believes these calls should not be dismissed due to their eventual victory, emphasizing the potential wider impact of such rulings.
Written for “VAR Controversy Penalty Call” on 2026-09-14,
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The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.45, but 3 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 1 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
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Leaning score withheld for article 8679: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-14
The match turned on a two-minute spell just before the hour mark, when David Raya made a superb penalty save and Bruno Guimaraes then opened the scoring at the other end.
asserted
Guimaraes → turn → end
It can change the course of the season.
asserted
It → change → season
I've seen it 10 times to make sure and I said 'it is not possible it is penalty'.
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it → see → it
This cannot happen.
asserted
This → happen → ?
"I have been involved in football for 27, 28 years.
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I → involve → years
Arsenal have reached out to Pro Ref chief Howard Webb, seeking a further explanation for the award of the penalty.
asserted
Arsenal → reach → penalty
As with Arteta's comments immediately after the match, there is a feeling that the significance of the decision should not be diminished just because the north Londoners ultimately won the match.
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Londoners → be → match
It is viewed as a decision that could have decided the game and ultimately had a wider impact on the season.
uncertain
that → view → season
Read More
The club want greater consistency from the Premier League's officials, with this the second decision in four matches that has left them frustrated.
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that → read → them
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel unanimously ruled that Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Guimaraes in the win over Aston Villa last month.
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Arsenal → rule → Villa
The Brazilian was brought down by Ian Maatsen in stoppage time but referee Jarred Gillett waved away his appeals and VAR James Bell did not intervene.
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Bell → bring → appeals
The KMI Panel voted 5:0 that the challenge was "reckless" and should have resulted in a penalty and a second yellow card for the Villa defender.
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challenge → vote → defender
