Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was “amazed” to see Declan Rice sent off in his side’s 1-1 draw against Brighton after “inconsistency” from…
Mikel Arteta left stunned after Declan Rice’s controversial red card in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming after Declan Rice’s controversial red card in his side’s 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. Rice was given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, a decision that Arteta believed was a clear example of inconsistency from referee Chris Kavanagh.
The incident occurred in the 65th minute, with Arsenal leading 1-0 courtesy of a Bukayo Saka goal. Rice, who had already been booked in the first half, was cautioned again for kicking the ball away after a foul was awarded against him. The referee deemed it to be a petulant act, worthy of a second yellow card, and subsequently sent Rice off.
However, Arteta was adamant that Brighton’s Joao Pedro should have also been booked for a similar incident in the first half. Pedro kicked the ball away after a foul was awarded against him, but the referee chose not to take action. This inconsistency left Arteta stunned and frustrated.
“I’m amazed, amazed, that Declan Rice got sent off,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference. “I don’t think it’s a yellow card, and even if it is, I think there was a similar incident in the first half with Joao Pedro, and he didn’t get booked. It’s inconsistency, and it changed the game.”
Arteta’s frustration was compounded by the fact that Rice’s red card will see him miss Arsenal’s next Premier League match, a huge clash against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The midfielder’s absence will be a significant blow to Arsenal’s chances of winning the match, and Arteta knows it.
“Declan is a key player for us, and to lose him for the next match is a big blow,” Arteta said. “But we have to accept it and move on. We have to find a way to win without him.”
Despite the controversy surrounding Rice’s red card, Arteta was pleased with his team’s performance against Brighton. Arsenal dominated the match, creating numerous chances and restricting Brighton to few opportunities. However, they were unable to hold on to their lead, with Brighton equalizing in the 76th minute through a Lewis Dunk header.
“It was a good performance, but we didn’t get the three points,” Arteta said. “We created chances, but we didn’t take them. We have to be more clinical if we want to win matches.”
The draw against Brighton leaves Arsenal in fourth place in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Manchester City. While Arteta is disappointed with the result, he remains optimistic about his team’s chances of winning the title.
“We are still in a good position,” Arteta said. “We have to keep working and believing in ourselves. We can still win the title, but we have to be more consistent and take our chances.”
In conclusion, Mikel Arteta was left stunned after Declan Rice’s controversial red card in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton. The decision was a clear example of inconsistency from referee Chris Kavanagh, and it changed the game. Despite the controversy, Arteta was pleased with his team’s performance and remains optimistic about their chances of winning the title. However, the loss of Rice for the next match will be a significant blow, and Arsenal will have to find a way to win without him.
