We secured our fourth win from as many Premier League games on Saturday night, grinding out a 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland.

It was an eventful second half on Wearside, with David Raya making a stupendous penalty save from Enzo Le Fee before Bruno Guimaraes fired a sensational opening goal on his return to the North East.

Bukayo Saka wrapped it up in stoppage time by converting a penalty he won himself, having been fouled by the sent-off Reinildo Mandava.

Mikel Arteta addressed the media following the win, and you can read every word from his press conference below…

On the decision to award Sunderland a penalty:

Look, the first question we have to discuss is that this is not acceptable at this level. It was a beautiful game of football, with two teams and an atmosphere in the stadium that was unbelievable, with Sunderland they are so organised; they are so good in so many phases, they have great players, they created a lot of issues we had to cope with. We had to cope with all of that, it was a lot in a really difficult week after Chelsea and Napoli, and on top of that we have to go through what we’ve done today that in my opinion is not acceptable. I watched it 20 times, and I cannot find a way to understand how they even think to give a penalty in that situation, or the way the VAR has to intervene. So I don’t know what to think, but I’m sad that we have to discuss in such a beautiful game something at this level that has the gravity of that, because that changes the course of the season and can cost you the championship. At this level, with all the work that we put in, this cannot happen. I cannot find an explanation – that’s why I’m going to try and find an explanation now. I want to be talking about how good we were, how good Sunderland were, and the level of the league and how beautiful this is – we should not be talking about that. I cannot find an explanation – that’s why I’m going to try and find an explanation now. 

On a very important victory:

I want to be talking about how good we were, how good Sunderland were, and the level of the league and how beautiful this is – we should not be talking about [refereeing decisions].

If the referee gave an explanation:

On how Sunderland performed:

There is an element of luck as well because Sunderland are so good at doing that, they throw in numbers, their timing is so good. But if you give them the space to play as well, they play – they are a really, really good side, and in any other moment we could’ve conceded. That’s part of the game as well.

On Bruno Guimaraes’ goal:

Unbelievable, but again the personality that he has, and this was a special game for him as well, what it means for him. How he grabs the game, making decisions that he’s made. The goal was incredible, and the assist as well to Bukayo to put him through. I’m really impressed with him.

On if he’s ‘knocking on the door’ to start games:

They all are, to be fair. We have had a really tough week, as I said, and they’ve all played and been really important – and that’s what we’re going to need as well, every three days to maintain this level, otherwise it’s impossible.

On Brian Brobbey’s performance for the hosts:

Really tough, really intelligent, the way they do it as a team and to isolate him in these actions – he’s extremely good at that. How they run off him as well, it’s not only him, the way they connect with him after he gets on the ball – that’s why I said they have so many good things as a team that they make it really tough for you.

On if he used last season’s fixture as motivation:

We still have something in the tummy, and the manner that it happened as well. We knew we’d have to go through certain very chaotic moments inside the box, to earn the right to win the game, and we suffered, but we’ve done it.