During Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, Declan Rice was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, resulting in his suspension from the upcoming North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal fans, along with manager Mikel Arteta, have voiced their discontent over the decision made by referee Chris Kavanagh. The situation became even more contentious after a new video angle surfaced, showing Brighton’s striker Danny Welbeck telling Kavanagh, “It’s a second yellow!” This incident has led to further scrutiny, as per Premier League regulations, Welbeck should have been booked for attempting to influence the referee’s decision. However, this rule was frequently disregarded in the previous season, which explains why Welbeck wasn’t punished in this instance.
Rice’s first yellow card was given for a late tackle on Joel Veltman. Reflecting on the match, Rice expressed his disbelief at the second booking. He stated, “I was shocked. You could see it on my face. I didn’t rush back in front of Veltman and kick the ball away. I merely touched it with the outside of my foot.”
Despite his frustration, Rice acknowledged the rules of the game, saying, “If you move the ball away, even slightly, after a challenge like the one in the first half, it’s naturally a red card. I accept that my earlier tackle was a 50-50 that I didn’t win.”
Rice admitted that the situation was tough and perhaps harsh but recognized that he needed to move forward. This red card was the first of his career, and he expressed remorse, saying, “I’ve apologized to my teammates and the fans, which I’ve done. This is something I have to learn from and put behind me.”
The incident has sparked discussions about the consistency of refereeing decisions and the enforcement of Premier League rules, especially regarding player conduct towards referees. For Arsenal, Rice’s absence from the North London Derby is a significant blow, adding to the frustration felt by both the team and their supporters.
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