Mikel Arteta blasted what he described as an “absolutely unacceptable” penalty decision, even as Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 win over Sunderland.

The Gunners came through another stern examination to keep their 100% winning record intact this season, but Arteta was angered by the decision to award Sunderland a penalty. David Raya saved the spot-kick before Arsenal went on to score twice through Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka.

“I’m extremely pleased to win again,” Arteta said. “We had a really tough week, Chelsea, Napoli, winning there and now against a really tough opponent in a difficult place.

“We had really good periods but didn’t score and after that they can suffocate you, especially when they decided to be really physical and very direct.

“We had to overcome a situation that in my opinion was absolutely unacceptable at this level. I’m very worried and very sad because this can never be a penalty ever.”

Arteta believed Ezri Konsa had done nothing wrong in the incident and questioned why VAR did not step in to reverse the decision.

“It’s a judo roll from the opponent. Ezri does nothing. Just watch it,” he said.

“We have a lot of cameras and VAR, we have to take responsibility to protect the game. Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum, which is a really, really serious thing.”

Arteta was delighted with Raya’s save and with the way Arsenal reacted to the setback, but stressed that his criticism was about safeguarding the game as a whole rather than only defending his own side.

“I loved the save from David, the way the team reacted, the way we go again and we go against everything, but this should never happen. It’s not fair, and I am sad, very sad, in that sense.

“I’m making it very clear publicly because it’s for the game, it’s not only for Arsenal. This cannot happen at this level.”