An all-action first half between Arsenal and Manchester City ended with Leandro Trossard being sent for an early bath.
Whilst Arsenal held a 2-1 lead at the break against Manchester City, Mikel Arteta’s mood as referee Michael Oliver blew the half-time whistle will have been grim.
In the final few seconds at th end of added time in the first half, Leandro Trossard committed a foul in the Gunners’ own half. Fractionally after Oliver had blown his whistle, the Belgian forward put his foot through the ball, clearing it away.
Trossard had been booked earlier in the half for picking the ball up after conceding a foul, and was shown his second yellow just before the break.
Why Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard was sent off against Manchester City
There may initially have been some confusion as to whether Trossard was shown a second yellow card for the foul he committed or for kicking the ball afterwards.
In the aftermath of the decision, the Premier League confirmed: “The referee issued a second yellow card to Leandro Trossard for delaying the restart.”
This is not the first time that the Gunners have fallen foul of this rule in recent weeks.
Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton, when he was shown a yellow card after kicking the ball away to prevent the Seagulls from taking a quick free kick.
William Saliba also picked up a booking against Tottenham Hotspur for delaying a restart.
This is a habit that Arteta desperately needs to stamp out of his squad, as it is clear now that no quarter will be given from referees and Arsenal players are now very much under the microscope when it comes to this kind of behaviour.
Arsenal will resent Michael Oliver record
According to WhoScored, in showing Trossard a red card, Oliver has now sent off Arsenal players seven times in his career.
He has not dismissed players from any other club as often as he has given those representing the North London club their marching orders.
Arsenal fans were concerned that Oliver’s appointment for this fixture would go against them, and they will certainly feel as though it did.
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