Arsenal fans scream for consistency after Rice red as Arteta’s bus wobbles through Brighton test
Arsenal played not to lose from a winning position following a controversial – but ultimately fair – red card for Declan Rice against Brighton.
Declan Rice was given a first-half yellow card for a late lunge on Joel Veltman. No argument. Five minutes into the second half, Rice received a yellow for kicking the ball away as Veltman tried to take a free-kick. When you put it like that, again, there is no argument.
The controversy comes when you consider that Joao Pedro booted the ball 30 yards away after giving away a throw-in, which went unpunished by Chris Kavanagh. Consistency is again non-existent.
Arsenal fans feel aggrieved with Rice now suspended for the North London Derby that will come after the international break. And if there is a Premier League fan base that are world class at feeling aggrieved, it is the Emirates faithful. When they lose the league title to Manchester City by one point, we will hear all about the red card on matchday three.
Kavanagh’s decision was more significant than it needed to be, with Arsenal deciding it was a case of damage limitation when down to 10 men, not a case of keeping doing what they were doing. It was a somewhat understandable approach given the threat of Brighton but still quite frustrating to watch.
Leandro Trossard was not allowed to be the hero against his old club as Mikel Arteta brought him off for Riccardo Calafiori. The Spanish manager changed the shape with Kai Havertz leading the line, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka in centre-midfield, with five defenders trying to keep the Seagulls at bay following Joao Pedro’s equaliser 10 minutes after Rice’s dismissal.
