Mikel Arteta was left seething after Declan Rice was controversially given the marching orders during the 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday.
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Rice was sent off early in the second halfWas guilty of kicking the ball awayPicked up second yellow for the offenceWHAT HAPPENED?
The controversial moment unfolded as Brighton’s Joel Veltman prepared to take a quick free-kick. Although the ball was still rolling, making the kick technically illegal, Rice attempted to knock the ball aside with a slight touch. This led Veltman to kick where he anticipated the ball would be, only to strike Rice instead.
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However, referee Chris Kavanagh applied the letter of the law and issued Rice a second yellow card, resulting in his dismissal. The English midfielder was already on a caution and his cheeky attempt to prevent Veltman restart quickly cost him dearly.
WHAT ARTETA SAID
Earlier in the match, Brighton’s Joao Pedro blatantly kicked the ball down the touchline but escaped without a booking, a decision that fueled a sense of injustice within the Arsenal camp. Arteta’s frustration was evident in his post-match interview with , where he expressed disbelief over the decision.
"If it [bookings for delaying the restart] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn't. It is the inconsistency," Arteta said.
When asked if he was provided an explanation for the decision, he said: "None, like always."
Arteta added: "I was amazed. In the first half when the opponents did that they didn't get any booking. He makes the call by law in a non-critical area of the pitch when the ball hits the heel when turning around, to make that decision. By law, he can do it but be consistent. If that is the case they should have a man sent off and then it is 10 v 10."
DID YOU KNOW?
Since Arteta took over as manager at the Emirates, Arsenal have received the most red cards (16) in the Premier League, followed by Everton and Wolves, with 13.
