Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes there should’ve been a straight red card in Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool.
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool in a lively 90 minutes at Anfield, as the Gunners’ hunt for a win at the ground extended.
The game was certainly one of two halves, as Liverpool won the first half 2-0 and Arsenal won the second by the same scoreline, with the points shared.
In typical Premier League fashion, the contest didn’t come without drama, as Mikel Merino was sent off for a second yellow card offence, but the Spaniard wasn’t the only one to become the subject of red card speculation.
Ex-PMGOL chief believes Andy Robertson should’ve been sent off vs Arsenal
Arsenal were reduced to ten men as Merino walked in the 79th minute, putting momentum back into Liverpool’s favour.
The hosts went close to winning the game in the dying embers, as Andy Robertson found the net in injury time, but the goal did not stand due to a foul in the build-up.
PGMOL might be thankful that Robertson’s goal didn’t stand, as former chief Keith Hackett believes that the Scotsman was fortunate to be on the pitch.
In the first half, the Liverpool left-back was seen to force Bukayo Saka to the ground with his hand around the Arsenal winger’s throat.
The offence occurred close to the touchline, but neither the linesman, VAR, nor referee Anthony Taylor showed an interest in the foul.
Liverpool were awarded a throw-in, which Hackett believed was the wrong outcome of the incident, as the former PGMOL chief took to X to state it was a “red card offence”.
“I wrote about it immediately. This was a red card offence,” Hackett responded to a question regarding the passage of play.
Despite the altercation happening in the first half, it was Arsenal who ended the game with ten men, as Robertson’s actions went unpunished to Saka’s dismay.
Red cards continue to plague Arsenal’s season
Robertson ended the game without a card, but for Arsenal, another dismissal was added to the season tally.
For the sixth time in the Premier League this term, Arsenal were shown a red card, whether it be from two yellows or a straight red.
The total is five if Myles Lewis-Skelly’s overturned card is excluded, but the list is fascinating, as the majority of the instances came with controversy.
Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton was one of the talking points of the early stages of the season, as soon after, Leandro Trossard was sent off for a similar offence.
Arteta will have to find a solution to losing Merino, and perhaps study why the Gunners have been on the receiving end of so many dismissals this campaign.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
