Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has vented his anger towards Premier League officials after Sunderland were controversially awarded a penalty.

But ex-Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino cannot understand the Gunners boss' anger after his side battled to a 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light on Saturday night.

Mikel Arteta reacts during Arsenal's win over Sunderland
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Arteta was left furious after Arsenal had a penalty go against them in WearsideCredit: AFP

Victory for the north London giants maintained their 100 per cent winning start to the season from their six games in all competitions.

A stunning 25-yard strike from ex-Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes and a stoppage time penalty from Bukayo Saka lifted Arsenal to the top of the table after four Premier League fixtures.

But things could have been different had Enzo Le Fee slotted home his penalty for the Black Cats in the 56th minute.

Why were Sunderland awarded a penalty?

In what was the biggest talking point from the game, Ezri Konsa was penalised for a foul on Dan Ballard as Kevin Danso's long throw was launched into the box.

Referee John Brooks adjudged the England international to be holding the 33-cap Northern Ireland international, with both arms around his body.

But replays showed that Ballard looked to have grabbed Konsa by his elbow, and proceeded to drag him to the ground.

Arteta labelled the incident as a 'judo roll' when discussing the penalty in his post-match interview with talkSPORT's Sam Matterface.

Thankfully for Arteta and Arsenal, David Raya expertly tipped Le Fee's effort from 12 yards onto the post, with Guimaraes then opening the scoring just 121 seconds later.

What did Mikel Arteta say about the penalty decision?

The Spaniard told talkSPORT: "I think everybody can see it [is not a foul] and it's not acceptable at this level and I'm very, very worried."

When pressed whether he felt it was 'soft', Arteta remarked: "It's not soft, it's a judo roll, what he does on our player is never a penalty from every angle, I watched it ten times.

Enzri Konsa and Dan Ballard compete for the ball
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Konsa gave away a penalty for this foul on Ballard - a decision that has infuriated ArtetaCredit: X / BBCSport
Dan Ballard wins a penalty against Arsenal
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Ballard appeared to pull Konsa to the floor, but the decision went Sunderland's wayCredit: X / BBCSport

"That's why we have all the cameras and this cannot happen, it changes the momentum of the season, the course of the Championship at this level, it cannot happen."

He then added: "I don't understand anything, we have a meeting, they explain everything and this can never be a penalty.

"Otherwise, I don't know what we're going to do, but we'll continue."

What has Tony Cascarino said about Mikel Arteta?

For Cascarino, he cannot understand why Arteta remained so furious following the match after his side took all three points with them back to the capital.

That is despite the decision almost proving costly for Arsenal, who have now won nine Premier League games in a row for the first time in 22 years.

Speaking on the Weekend Sports Breakfast show, he remarked: "I don't know what he is worried about, he's top of the table.

David Raya saves Enzo Le Fee's penalty
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Raya somehow pushed Le Fee's effort on the post for his first Premier League penalty save since December 2023Credit: Getty
Bruno Guimaraes scores against Sunderland
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Just two minutes later, Guimaraes scored one of the goals of the season to fire Arsenal aheadCredit: Getty

"He's got a hell of a side who don't concede goals, yeah, they got a decision he might not like, many managers face that at all different levels."

Cascarino added: "It's a common theme [bad decisions], my frustration with penalties is that they are so soft and they are coin-flip decisions more often than not.

"Now I understand that the grappling, the referees and the officials and VAR are trying to eradicate all this fouling."

The former Republic of Ireland international continued on Arteta: "One thing that really surprises me, I'd come on the air - and I know it's Arteta and he is slightly different.

"But I would be absolutely buzzing that we've just won at Sunderland, who played by the way really well, and you've got a great result, you've made changes and they've worked for you.

"He takes off [Myles] Lewis-Skelly and brings on Guimaraes [at half-time], and then he gets the goal that opens the game up, and it was a great strike."

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