Arteta Blasts Arsenal Penalty Call as 2-0 Sunderland Win Sparks VAR Debate

Q: What fatal tactical flaw caused Manchester United to crumble against a 10-man City squad despite an hour-long advantage?

Manchester United’s fatal flaw was the absence of any clear attacking structure once City went down to 10 men. Instead of using the extra player to stretch City, move the ball quickly and pin them back, United fell into a slow, improvised attack reliant on Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford producing individual moments. That played directly into City’s hands. Enzo Maresca’s side dropped into a compact shape, denied space in behind and removed the transition game United usually thrive on. With no real positional pattern to disorganise that block, United circulated possession without control, rarely created overloads and almost never got behind the defence. Their best efforts were speculative strikes that hit the post rather than high-quality chances. The problem was worsened by the use of a false nine and the lack of a proper focal point. Reports from the match highlighted Matheus Cunha drifting deep, crowding central areas and leaving nobody consistently occupying City’s centre-backs. Even when Benjamin Sesko came on, United still failed to get the ball wide and deliver crosses or sustain pressure in the box. In short, United did not lose because they lacked possession or territory. They lost because their attack had no tempo, no width-driven plan and no central reference point, allowing a 10-man City side to stay compact, absorb pressure and even create the decisive goal themselves.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 14

Arteta called the penalty awarded against Arsenal at Sunderland "unacceptable" after his side still won 2-0, turning the post-match focus from the result to officiating.
The flashpoint came when Ezri Konsa was penalized for a tussle with Dan Ballard, but Enzo Le Fee missed from the spot and Arsenal escaped the controversy unpunished.
The report argues Arteta's outburst was deliberate as well as fair: managers often amplify perceived injustice, and the bigger issue is inconsistent interpretation of physical contact.
David Raya's role was also central, with his penalty save preserving control in a ground where Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United all failed to win last season.