Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta was livid with referee Michael Oliver’s determination to ship Leandro Trossard off for kicking the ball away within the 2-2 draw with Manchester Metropolis – including it’s “really, really worrying” to see a number of crimson playing cards for these offences.
The Gunners have been heading into half-time with a 2-1 comeback lead on the Etihad Stadium when Trossard – already on a reserving for a foul on Savinho – was proven a second yellow card for fouling Bernardo Silva, then kicking the ball away.
Arsenal felt aggrieved not solely as a result of harshness of the punishment – but additionally on account of the truth that Metropolis winger Jeremy Doku went unpunished for the same incident earlier within the recreation.
It was the second time Arsenal have been on the receiving finish of this second yellow card offence, with Declan Rice despatched off in opposition to Brighton on August 31 in the same incident.
Arteta mentioned he was “amazed” after that Rice name – as, like Doku, Brighton ahead Joao Pedro earlier went unpunished for kicking the ball away – and believes the sport in opposition to Metropolis turned a contest that “nobody wants to watch” after Trossard noticed crimson.
“We were more efficient and went 2-1 up and then there were two incidents, very similar, one in particular, but had a very different outcome which then forces you to have a game which nobody wants to watch,” mentioned Arteta.
“I believe it’s totally clear. Very apparent. Hopefully what 100 per cent of what folks thinks. It is not my job to return right here and choose what occurred. My job is to outlive in essentially the most tough atmosphere you may throw in soccer for 55 minutes. And attempt to get issues completed to outlive. That is my job, the remainder isn’t my job.
“It’s already the second time it has happened in five games, which is really, really worrying if we want to see the best Premier League.”
Arteta was sad with the small period of time between Oliver blowing his whistle for the foul and Trossard kicking the ball away, as he felt the Belgian didn’t have an opportunity to react to it.
“Anyone that has played football or any sport [can see] it’s less than a second. Less than a second. The previous one [Doku] is more than a second. That’s it, simple,” he mentioned.
Arteta remonstrates with the fourth official after Trossard’s crimson card in opposition to Manchester Metropolis
The crimson card left Arsenal with an “impossible” process – based on Arteta – to maintain out Metropolis on the Etihad Stadium with 10 gamers. John Stones ultimately scored a stoppage-time equaliser after a half of valiant defending from the Gunners, and Arteta admitted delight in his group regardless of two extra dropped factors.
“It’s impossible,” mentioned Arteta concerning the problem his group had within the second half. “It’s very hard already against 11 players, impossible. Because we are put under pressure to defend with six in our box time and time and time after time. That’s it.
“Unbelievable, I am so happy with them. While you survive like that that many minutes, to concede like that the way in which we did, as a result of we needed to play 97 minutes then 99, I used to be very dissatisfied. However on the similar time, I’ve to be happy with them.”
Keane: It was height of stupidity from Trossard | Merse: He knows what he’s doing!
Sky Sports’ Roy Keane:
“If I used to be on a yellow card, you attempt to not give the referee the prospect to present you one other yellow. He is given him the right alternative.
“So you barge into someone and then you kick the ball away. It’s not even a debate. You don’t need to watch it 30 times. It’s wrong, it’s a second yellow and it’s the height of stupidity.”
Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson:
“Trossard is a good footballer, he has a good brain. If he was playing in real time and in a game, he sidefoots the ball out to (Gabriel) Martinelli, he doesn’t kick it with his laces.
“He has heard the whistle, he is kicked it, he is aware of what he is doing.”
