Why Arsenal star Leandro Trossard was sent off vs Man City in controversial red card repeat
Arsenal attacker Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second yellow card against Manchester City with just seconds to go until half-time. Following a challenge on Bernardo Silva, the Belgian proceeded to kick the ball away, earning himself another booking.
Trossard appeared to be close to backing out of the hoof before following through and sending it off the pitch. It comes not long after Declan Rice was also sent for an early bath in Arsenal’s eventual draw with Brighton.
The Premier League match centre Twitter/X account explained the decision, confirming that the yellow card was not for the initial foul on Silva, writing: “The referee issued a second yellow card to Leandro Trossard for delaying the restart.” For Mikel Arteta it came with his side having earned themselves a valuable lead away to the champions.
Already seven minutes into an initial six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half, Trossard’s red card left Arsenal with 45 minutes to defend. The away players were left in disbelief once more, whilst Arteta himself gesticulated furiously on the touchline.
At the Emirates Stadium before the international break both Rice and Arteta said they had been left ‘amazed’ by referee Chris Kavanagh’s call to send him off for standing int the way of Joel Veltmen’s attempted free kick.
Rice also nudged the ball away but was judged to have been delaying the restart. Arsenal complaints continued after Joao Pedro was left unpunished for also kicking the ball away earlier in the game. Against City, Oliver decided not to punish Jeremy Doku in a similar scenario.
After Erling Haaland’s early opener, Arsenal had gotten themselves on top in a crucial title showdown. Riccardo Calafiori scored from a sensational long-range strike before Gabriel Magalhaes’ header sent them into the lead.
