(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sun 8 February 2026 12:30, UK

Mikel Arteta is likely to have confronted the Arsenal ground staff after Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.

That is the view of former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that the quality of the playing surface was “well short” of what is expected in the Premier League.

Arsenal cruised past Sunderland in their latest victory, as Martin Zubimendi put them ahead shortly before half-time, before a second-half double from Viktor Gyokeres secured the points.

It was yet another successful afternoon for Arteta’s side, who are flying high at the top of the table, but the state of their pitch will have left the boss with food for thought.

Mikel Arteta to be unhappy with dryness of Arsenal pitch

Arsenal notched another routine victory with their win on Saturday, as they went nine points clear at the top of the table ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

However, it was arguably matters concerning the pitch itself that drew more attention than any of the action during the game.

An Arsenal fan shared a photo on X shortly after kick-off, which showed the playing surface at the Emirates Stadium looking noticeably dry in one penalty area, with the goalmouth particularly affected and lacking grass.

That has prompted scrutiny from supporters in the aftermath of the game, and it also something that Hackett expects Arteta to have flagged up to the ground staff.

“Arsenal have won the award for producing the most outstanding playing surface in the Premier League on many occasions,” the former official exclusively told Football Insider.

“There is no doubt that the pitch was well short of the standards that we are used to seeing. This must be down to the adverse weather conditions or some problem with the systems in place.

“That could be a case of the under-soil heating, drainage, Halogen heat lamps or a problem with the grass itself. I am sure that Arteta will have expressed his concern.”

Arsenal’s pitch to get no time to recover

Arsenal also knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup in the second leg of their semi-final in midweek, as the Emirates Stadium pitch has faced plenty of strain of late.

The North London ground has played host to two games in five days this week, while the Gunners also played at home against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on 28 January.

However, the strain on their playing surface is unlikely to reduce any time soon, as the women’s team are set to face Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.

With the men’s side back at home against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup the following weekend, there is little respite for the pitch at the moment, as the games continue to come thick and fast.