Arsenal fans are furious after Declan Rice red card against Brighton, it was a ‘shocking’ decision

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Arsenal were 1-0 up against Brighton at the Emirates, but referee Chris Kavanagh inflicted chaos upon the game.

Arsenal went into the break a goal to the good after a goal from Kai Havertz, but Declan Rice and Thomas Partey were on yellow cards.

Mikel Arteta may have had fears about either player receiving a second yellow at half time, and those fears were quickly realised.

Rice committed a foul on Brighton defender Joel Veltman near the Brighton corner flag, and began walking away before Veltman then rolled the ball at him.

The England midfielder flicked the ball to move with the tiniest of touches, before Veltman then aggressively kicked him. Astonishingly, Rice then received a second yellow card, much to the surprise and anger of everyone in the ground.

Joao Pedro then snatched an equaliser before Arsenal then held out for a point, and the fans had a lot to say about the decision, which led to dropped points in the Premier League.

Arsenal fans furious at Chris Kavanagh after Declan Rice red card

Fans took to X to express their fury at the decision, with many pointing out how ridiculously harsh the decision was given how little Rice touches the ball.

“So he kicks the ball into Rice, then kicks Rice, and Rice gets sent off Investigate Kavanagh immediately You have to be absolutely desperate to send him off to make that decision,” one fan posted.

“Whether you think Rice is being cheeky or whatever, you simply cannot send a player off for that. It’s absolutely “main character” syndrome from Kavanagh” another added.

“This rivals the Van Persie sending off at Barcelona for the most deliberate game changing decision by a referee. He CHOSE to send Rice off because he wanted to,” another replied.

Fans also pointed out how Brighton attacker Pedro booted the ball away in the first half, with no punishment.

“Joao Pedro launched the ball halfway up the pitch earlier and wasn’t booked, then Rice gets sent off for THAT? I honestly can’t believe it,” an Arsenal fan highlighted.

“Declan Rice has been sent off after being kicked. Shocking. Absolutely shocking referee Chris Kavanagh there. Apologies from PGMOL on Monday morning won’t cut it,” another added.

“Sending Rice off for that is absolute insanity Chris Kavanagh is having a shocking game man,” a fan claimed.

Declan Rice will now miss Arsenal trip to Tottenham Hotspur

Unless the red card gets rescinded, which seems unlikely, the decision over Rice has inflicted disaster on his team, as he will now miss a crucial North London Derby clash away at Tottenham Hotspur.

With new signing Mikel Merino injured, Arteta is now short of steel in midfield, and he will have a dilemma over who to pick for the game.

Rice was clumsy for his first yellow, but this second one has cost Arsenal valuable points in the Premier League title race.