Mikel Arteta has expressed his disappointment with referee Chris Kavanagh after he rudely sent off Arsenal’s Declan Rice. The midfielder was controversially shown a second yellow during the 1-1 home draw against Brighton.
The Gunners started on the front foot and although the Seagulls steadied the ship a bit, Kai Havertz gave the home side the lead at half-time with a fine goal. But things quickly deteriorated in the second 45.
Rice, who had already received a yellow card in the 42nd minute for a rather serious foul, then tangled with Joel Veltman. Kavanagh blew for a foul and as the Englishman was leaving he pushed the ball.
With real venom, Veltman swung his leg as if to kick the ball out, but instead hit Rice’s leg, leaving the Arsenal star crumpled to the ground. The home crowd demanded a red card, but instead their player received a second yellow card, resulting in his sending off.
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Manager Arteta, in a conversation with journalists after the match, was unable to assess the situation. First, he revealed that “as always” he had not received an official explanation from anyone responsible.
As stated in a separate interview with football.london after the match, he also said:
“I was surprised. Surprised how inconsistent the decisions can be. In the first half there are two decisions and nothing happens. In the second half in a non-critical area Declan doesn’t even look. By law you can if you want to but you don’t must.”
Given that Joao Pedro also delayed the restart by clearing the ball when Arsenal were taking a free-kick in the first half but avoided a penalty, it’s not hard to see why Arteta and co were left unhappy.
Also tell the “Consistency” question.
“I thought it was a bit rough”
The official reason for the red card given by the Premier League was that Rice was guilty of “delaying the restart” and therefore deserved a second yellow. Despite this thinking, Saka was also not satisfied with the conversation and said:
“I thought it was a bit harsh on us. We just want some consistency. Joao Pedro started the ball from half-field in the first half and got nothing for it and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off.
“It is what it is, I don’t want to put the whole game on the referee because we still had chances to win,” he added. “The start was good. Today is disappointing, but the season is long.”
It was Arsenal’s first drop in the first three games of the season. Rice is now suspended for the north London derby against Tottenham after the international break.