Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Arsenal, Fan Reactions, Brighton And Hove Albion, Declan Rice, Football, Premier League
Marcus Chan
Topics: Arsenal, Fan Reactions, Brighton And Hove Albion, Declan Rice, Football, Premier League
Arsenal fans have pinpointed the incident where referee Chris Kavanagh failed to book Joao Pedro after Declan Rice’s controversial red card.
On Saturday afternoon, Arsenal’s 100% start to the 24/25 Premier League season came to an end after a 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz’s brilliantly executed lob in the 38th minute gave Mikel Arteta’s side a 1-0 halftime lead.
However, at the start of the second period, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men after Rice received a second yellow card.
At first, fans were left furious after replays showed that the Gunners midfielder was accidentally kicked by Brighton star Joel Veltman.
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However, it was then realised that Rice actually nudged the ball away from the Brighton defender in a bid to delay the restart.
The Premier League then released a statement to offer an official explanation on why Rice was shown a second yellow.
On the back of the red card, Arsenal fans pointed out that referee Kavanagh failed to book Brighton star Pedro in the first half after the Brazilian booted the ball away after it had gone out of play.
Reacting on social media, one fan said: “Yeah that’s the main issue here. Consistency!”
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Another tweeted: “Double standards huh.”
A third fan added: “Those are the standards of the epl.”
However, someone else said: “Hes not interrupting our players from taking a free kick, different situations
Really stupid from Rice on both cards.”
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Another added: “The ball was out of play already in that one.”
Speaking about the incident on BBC Radio 5 Live, former England defender Stephen Warnock said: “Declan Rice knows what he's doing. He has had a little look and pushed the ball away then the challenge comes in.
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“You're asking a referee to make decision in that moment. When you're stood over the ball in that position, why do it?”
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka said: “I thought it was a bit harsh for us. We just want some consistency. Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch 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 dont want to put the whole game on the referee as we still had chances to win it. It has been a good start. Today is a disappointment but it is a long season.”