Leandro Trossard Red Card Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Furious with Referee Decision vs Manchester City

Mikel Arteta was livid after Arsenal’s controversial 2-2 draw with Manchester City. The red card shown to Leandro Trossard was the main point of contention.

Arteta felt the decision by referee Michael Oliver to send off Trossard for kicking the ball away was overly harsh and inconsistent with earlier game incidents.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta couldn’t contain his disappointment with Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Leandro Trossard. The red card drastically changed the game’s dynamics, especially since Arsenal had clawed their way back to a 2-1 lead by halftime.

Trossard was already on a yellow card for a foul on Savinho. His second yellow came for kicking the ball away after fouling Bernardo Silva. The timing was unfortunate, as it left Arsenal with ten players for the entire second half.

This wasn’t the first instance for Arsenal. Just last month, Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton in similar circumstances, adding fuel to Arteta’s frustrations about the consistency in officiating.

Arteta felt his team was unfairly treated by the speed of Oliver’s whistle, making it harder for players to react appropriately.

Arteta highlighted the short reaction time Trossard had, comparing it to Doku’s incident, which had more leniency.

Arteta said, “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.”

Paul Merson added, “Trossard is a good footballer, he has a good brain. He has heard the whistle, he’s kicked it, he knows what he’s doing.”

City’s John Stones also criticized Arsenal for slowing the game down. Stones said, “You can call it clever and dirty, whichever way you call it, it upsets the rhythm for everyone.”

Both teams likely felt they deserved more, making for a tense and riveting encounter that left fans and pundits talking long after the final whistle.

The controversy surrounding Trossard’s red card highlights ongoing issues with officiating in high-stakes matches. Arteta’s frustration is understandable given the perceived inconsistencies.

As Arsenal and Manchester City both reflect on the game, the question of fair play and consistent officiating remains a heated topic. The teams will need to regroup as the season progresses, but the memory of this match will undoubtedly linger.