Riccardo Calafiori breaks Arsenal’s dressing room silence on controversial Leandro Trossard red card

Riccardo Calafiori has become the first Arsenal player to publicly address team-mate Leandro Trossard's controversial second yellow card in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City.

Trossard was sent off on the stroke of half time for kicking the ball away after referee Michael Oliver had blown for a foul.

But the time between Oliver's whistle and Trossard kicking the ball away has left some fans believing that the Belgium international was harshly treated at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal therefore had to play the second half with 10 players, and were minutes away from completing a heroic victory before John Stones' 98th-minute equaliser.

Calafiori had earlier levelled the scores at 1-1 for Arsenal with a stunning left-footed strike from distance that curled into the top right corner.

And after his first Premier League goal, the Italian told the media what he made of Trossard's red card.

He said: "I don't want to say too much, but the referees have to do their job to keep the game good to watch. But with these kinds of actions, they don't have to put themselves too much.

"I think Leo didn't even hear the whistle. Come on... you have to do your job, not more."

The sending off of Trossard had a significant impact on the game at the Etihad Stadium, with Arsenal forced into a stoic defensive display in the second half.

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Their only shot on goal in the second half came through Kai Havertz, who operated as an additional defender for large parts of the second half despite starting as a centre forward.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, was less than impressed with Oliver's decision: "It has already happened twice in five games [the red card situation], which is very worrying to see in the best league.

"It is very, very hard to play with 11 players. With 10, it is impossible. With 10, you need to defend your six-yard box time and time again."