Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was furious with referee Michael Oliver's decision to send Leandro Trossard off for kicking the ball away in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City - adding it is "really, really worrying" to see multiple red cards for these offences.
The Gunners were heading into half-time with a 2-1 comeback lead at the Etihad Stadium when Trossard - already on a booking for a foul on Savinho - was shown a second yellow card for fouling Bernardo Silva, then kicking the ball away.
Arsenal felt aggrieved not only due to the harshness of the punishment - but also due to the fact that City winger Jeremy Doku went unpunished for a similar incident earlier in the game.
It was the second time Arsenal have been on the receiving end of this second yellow card offence, with Declan Rice sent off against Brighton on August 31 in a similar incident.
Arteta said he was "amazed" after that Rice call - as, like Doku, Brighton forward Joao Pedro earlier went unpunished for kicking the ball away - and believes the game against City became a contest that "nobody wants to watch" after Trossard saw red.
"We were more efficient and went 2-1 up and then there were two incidents, very similar, one in particular, but had a very different outcome which then forces you to have a game which nobody wants to watch," said Arteta.
"I think it's very clear. Very obvious. Hopefully what 100 per cent of what people thinks. It's not my job to come here and judge what happened. My job is to survive in the most difficult environment you can throw in football for 55 minutes. And try to get things done to survive. That's my job, the rest is not my job.
"It's already the second time it has happened in five games, which is really, really worrying if we want to see the best Premier League.
"Anyone that has played football or any sport [can see] it's less than a second. Less than a second. The previous one [Doku] is more than a second. That's it, simple."
The match left Arsenal with an "impossible" task, according to Arteta, to keep out City at the Etihad Stadium with 10 players. John Stones eventually scored a stoppage-time equaliser after a half of valiant defending from the Gunners, and Arteta admitted pride in his team despite two more dropped points.
"It's impossible," said Arteta about the challenge his team had in the second half. "It's very hard already against 11 players, impossible. Because we are put under pressure to defend with six in our box time and time and time after time. That's it.
"Unbelievable, I'm so proud of them. When you survive like that that many minutes, to concede like that the way we did, because we had to play 97 minutes then 99, I was very disappointed. But at the same time, I have to be proud of them."
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Gunnerneko
0
time worsting with cards is a very good tactic keep it up 🤣😂😅
??? 🤣 Cry more
cacbcdkltz
0
why don't they talk about the ref calling walker out of his position and then letting Arsenal quickly restart with walker way out of position
Gunners played one Less out of position did Citizens score until 98 mins? Walker is just one player and very Fast getting back to "Position ".Oliver got spared with Draw.
Vinklpsz
0
He rammed bernardo in the air then kicked the ball, he should have 3 yellow cards😂
Wacbdnpry
0
These referees are making football less interesting to watch anymore
Janaiklopr
0
why did the extra time take so long? I really don't think it was necessary.
They actually played maybe around 70 minutes...
Yupcilopuy
0
Mr Arteta stop lame excuses Kai havert should have been sent off earlier just 8 second
buwcdklrt
0
The law is there. If you kick the ball away, it will be yellow card offence. nothing to argue. sigh......
The law must be there for everybody not only for Arsenal
Boller
0
Tell me which team doesn't waste time? you are very silly and know nothing about football if you don't have anything to say don't talk rubbish
time worsting with cards is a very good tactic keep it up 🤣😂😅
Boller
0
Tell me which team doesn't waste time? you are very silly and know nothing about football if you don't have anything to say don't talk rubbish
time worsting with red cards is really a good tactic 😅😂🤣 keep it up
wuoailnrsu
0
The law is there. If you kick the ball away, it will be yellow card offence. nothing to argue. sigh......
denniskonye12
0
why did the extra time take so long? I really don't think it was necessary.
because all arsenal players were rolling on the floor, for time wasting
denniskonye12
0
why don't they talk about the ref calling walker out of his position and then letting Arsenal quickly restart with walker way out of position
exactly
Rasaikty
3
Michael Oliver is a Man city Fan
Rapaiknry
2
why don't they talk about the ref calling walker out of his position and then letting Arsenal quickly restart with walker way out of position
sinbcorsy
0
Referees can't be wrong all the time, Arteta must be told
let football team talk not shit united
AlwaysSoccer
6
It was a silly decision from Trossard, but the absolute right one from the ref. However, it's pathetic the inconsistency in the game. Brighton's Pedro & Man City Doku actually did the samething and went unpunished. Against Chelsea, clear penalty, nothing given. L.Martinez for Man United. 2 footed challenge and just a yellow card... I can go on and on, but unless something is really done to the refs for bias and inconsistency. Nothing will ever change, and it's runin the beautiful game.
duuimopry
3
It is difficult to complain to refrees head Mr. Haward Webb (man united fan vs arsenal enemy)
Pebbekmoyz
0
League trying to take you down? By doing what exactly, play joker in court? You do realize fa didn't even have to go to court, if they were serious and not just looking for a pay off, they'd charge city already and they city could appeal in court to clear the charges just like everton and Leinster did. That's what seria a did with juventus. Instead city's captain happily discuss payoff with the ref in the tunnel...
That's true, yet here we are [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
lawrence4jesus
0
Referees can't be wrong all the time, Arteta must be told
why was doku not booked?
biuaelnot
0
I think the best is to train your players to avoid this silly time worsting tricks as it continues to haunt you and disadvantage the team
mind about your 115 charges.i know start to believe them.doku wasted more time and no card.last season kovacic committed a more dangerous foul n card
Gunnerneko
0
I think the best is to train your players to avoid this silly time worsting tricks as it continues to haunt you and disadvantage the team
Tell me which team doesn't waste time? you are very silly and know nothing about football if you don't have anything to say don't talk rubbish
yuucdeptu
3
Referees can't be wrong all the time, Arteta must be told
Adamudegunner
1
Our players never learn at all this is the same thing happened between us and Brighton last two weeks ago and the match ended draw
Takbcmptu
0
PL referee should be displined by banning them
Boller
2
I think the best is to train your players to avoid this silly time worsting tricks as it continues to haunt you and disadvantage the team
sodbdlpru
1
referees should stop betting
Baller⚽️1
2
Why blaming the referee here we are know the football rules that fact is trossard did let his team down how can you kick the ball after committing a foul and the whistle was blown
vonbcelps
3
why did the extra time take so long? I really don't think it was necessary.
hikaeksty
2
what the Perma league bored is doing is not good arsenal have win the game all ready but referee is the problem the (90) minutes have done an the additional time do bloud game over no
Firedragon147
0
so funny how everyone thinks the league tryna take City down is also helping them won. make it make sense
League trying to take you down? By doing what exactly, play joker in court? You do realize fa didn't even have to go to court, if they were serious and not just looking for a pay off, they'd charge city already and they city could appeal in court to clear the charges just like everton and Leinster did. That's what seria a did with juventus. Instead city's captain happily discuss payoff with the ref in the tunnel...
vocinruyz
2
Referees are horrible against Arsenal. The only reason is all referees bet before entering the field.
Zapabcdelo
1
Thanks arsenal keep it up boys
fepbiuyz
2
England FA is supporting city to win the league again
Vooclprsty
0
thunder will 🔥 that ref two faw yellow card and red. not a good officiating
wuyaeiptu
1
so funny how everyone thinks the league tryna take City down is also helping them won. make it make sense
so u support what Oliver did!!! so insane of u
Ovastanding1
1
so funny how everyone thinks the league tryna take City down is also helping them won. make it make sense
pohbekmtu
0
we will see who laughs at end season
Yiulnotyz
1
premiership with double standards