Nobody Can Understand How Luke Ayling Was Initially Given Yellow Card For Two-Footed Challenge On Gabriel Martinelli

Luke Ayling was sent for an early bath in the first-half of Leeds United's crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal after a horrific two-footed challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.

Things went from bad to worse for Jesse Marsch's side at the Emirates. In the opening minutes, Eddie Nketiah netted against the Premier League strugglers after a howler from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

The 22-year-old forward refused to celebrate against the club he spent a loan spell at during the 2019/20 campaign.

LOOK AWAY, LEEDS FANS! 😭😭

A howler from Illan Meslier and it's the worst possible start for the away side! 😬

📺 Arsenal host Leeds is 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 on Sky Sports! pic.twitter.com/srlzJgTk1S

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 8, 2022

Nketiah, who has been given a run of games under Mikel Arteta of late, then scored his second just minutes later to make it 2-0.

From bad to worse... 🤯🤯

Eddie Nketiah has a second for Arsenal and Leeds
are in real trouble here! 🔴

📺 Arsenal vs Leeds is 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 on Sky Sports! pic.twitter.com/oYTfr4tt6i

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 8, 2022

And with relegation rivals Everton playing well against Leicester on Sunday afternoon, things didn't get much better for Leeds.

The Whites went down to 10 men before the half hour mark after full-back Ayling was giving him marching orders by Chris Kavanagh, although VAR had to be consulted, to the bemusement of many.

You can see that challenge below.

🟥 Ayling
🟨 Raphinha

Leeds have fallen apart... pic.twitter.com/HR19u5fQax

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 8, 2022

On his 500th appearance for the club, Ayling was rightly sent off and will be suspended for the rest of the season.

Luke Ayling is an absolute idiot - what is he thinking? Such a useless area of the pitch to make that challenge.

All he does is make this game 10x harder for Leeds and he’s now suspended for the rest of the season. You expect more from someone who is supposed to be a captain.

— EiF (@EiFSoccer) May 8, 2022

Here's how social media reacted to the challenge.

One fan wrote: "What on earth is that kind of utterly insane challenge in this day and age from Luke Ayling? Horrendous two-footed leap in. Raphinha should have been sent off for dissent as well 100%."

Another commented: "Completely unnecessary and very dangerous from Luke Ayling. No debate that that’s a red card."

A third said: "Luke Ayling letting the club down when we need him most. Been a great servant but that isn't good enough."

🗣 “We’ve got four games to keep in the Premier League and it starts today.”

Luke Ayling on Leeds United fighting relegation. pic.twitter.com/TnuOLrKhPp

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 8, 2022

Thoughts on the challenge?

Let us know in the comments.