Arteta Angry Over Penalty Decision Despite Arsenal Win At Sunderland
As it was, keeper David Raya pushed Enzo Le Fee's spot kick against the post in the 55th minute and two minutes later Bruno Guimaraes scored his first goal for the club.
Recommended For YouBukayo Saka wrapped it up deep in stoppage time from the penalty spot to make it four leagues wins out of four for the reigning champions.
It could have been different had Le Fee found the net but Arteta blasted the decision by referee John Brooks to award a penalty when Ezri Konsa was penalised for pulling down Dan Ballard as a corner was played in.
"It was a huge win but it could have been something very different," an angry Arteta told TNT Sport when referring to the penalty award.
"It's unacceptable at this level, this can change the course of a season and the championship. It's not acceptable. I've seen it 10 times to make sure and it's not possible at this level that it can be a penalty. It cannot happen.
"It's not a penalty in any context, in any league."
It was far from a vintage Arsenal display against a tenacious Sunderland, who deserved something for their endeavour, but they dug deep and showed the resilience that helped them win a first title for 22 years last season.
They have now kept four clean sheets in their five games since the start of the season, including in the Champions League win at Napoli in midweek.
Summer signing Guimaraes replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly at halftime and made a stunning impact.
After receiving a pass from Declan Rice he sent a right-footed curler into the top corner.
Arsenal were forced to defend desperately at times as Sunderland's physicality rattled them but Saka netted his third goal of the season when he beat Robin Roefs with his spot kick after being fouled by Reinildo Mandava who was sent off.
"It's unbelievable the spirit and the courage we have to go again and again and again," Arteta said. "So pleased in one sense and so worried in another.
"David Raya was unbelievable. He is a player that decides football matches when we need it.
"Sunderland deserve a lot of credit for the way they make it so hard for you."
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Chelsea, both tipped as title challengers, were held to draws.
Liverpool's stuttering start to the league season continued as they drew 0-0 at home to Fulham while Chelsea required a Joao Pedro equaliser in the second half to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to surprise package Hull City.
Aston Villa scored their first league goal of the season but went down 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest while Ipswich Town snatched a 3-2 victory at 10-man Crystal Palace.
Bournemouth drew 2-2 at home to Brentford and shot-shy Tottenham Hotspur remained the only side in the top flight without a goal after drawing 0-0 at home to Everton.
It is the first time in Tottenham's history that they have failed to score in their first four league games of a season.
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