BREAKING NEWS: “It’s clear the referee was biased today; VAR wronged us once more, and that red card was unjust,” fumed Arteta as Arsenal’s winning streak was halted by Brighton following Declan Rice’s dismissal.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment with what he viewed as inconsistent refereeing by Chris Kavanagh during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brighton. His frustration primarily stemmed from the red card issued to Declan Rice, which played a crucial role in allowing Brighton to mount a comeback.

Rice received his second yellow card early in the second half for blocking Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick, leaving Arsenal with only ten men on the field. This decision shifted the momentum in Brighton’s favour, and shortly after, Joao Pedro capitalised on a rebound to equalize following Kai Havertz’s first-half goal for Arsenal.

Arteta’s anger was rooted in his belief that Kavanagh’s decisions were inconsistent throughout the match. He pointed to a similar incident earlier in the game involving Brighton forward Joao Pedro, who kicked the ball away in the first half but did not receive a red card.

In his post-match comments, Arteta expressed his disbelief at the referee’s choices, saying, “I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed at how inconsistent decisions can be.” He further elaborated that while the referee’s decision to send Rice off was technically within the rules, it was frustrating because Pedro had not been penalised similarly.

Arteta’s frustration was not solely due to the officiating but also because Arsenal were unable to secure a win despite having better chances, even after going down to ten men. Bukayo Saka, who was one of the standout performers, was unable to find a way past Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, who had an impressive performance. The result meant that Arsenal lost two valuable points in a match they were expected to win.

The consequences of Rice’s red card extend beyond the immediate result. He will be suspended for Arsenal’s next match, which happens to be a crucial north London derby against Tottenham. This suspension, combined with the absence of injured new signing Mikel Merino, leaves Arsenal short of key midfield options.

Reflecting on this challenge, Arteta emphasised the need to adapt and give other players an opportunity to step up, indicating his determination to manage the situation despite the setbacks. His comments highlighted both his frustration with the refereeing decisions and his resolve to navigate the challenges ahead.