Mikel Arteta delivers blunt three-word Arsenal response to Declan Rice red card ‘explanation’ poser

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not happy with Declan Rice’s sending off during the Gunners’ draw against Brighton.

Rice was dismissed just after the interval after receiving a controversial second yellow card in bizarre circumstances.

The midfielder nudged the ball away from Joel Veltman before the Dutchman took the 25-year-old out by kicking him, which the Arsenal man was then penalised for.

It’s understood that Rice received a second yellow for interfering with play by kicking the ball away from Veltman, an explanation that doesn’t suffice for many associated with the Gunners.

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What Mikel Arteta said about Declan Rice’s sending off against Brighton

Appearing dejected after Arsenal’s draw, Arteta was quizzed by TNT Sports on what he thought about Rice’s dismissal.

The Arsenal manager replied incredibly bluntly offering just three words when asked, “What explanation have you been given for the sending off?”

“None, like always,” Arteta replied, providing no further comment to the question.

The boss was then pushed to provide a further opinion on the matter, to which he questioned the lack of consistency shown by Chris Kavanagh during the fixture.

“If it [bookings] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn’t. It is inconsistency.”

Many shared a similar opinion to Arteta, who was clearly furious at the match-defining decision to show Rice a second yellow.

Arsenal had to do better against Brighton

The talking point from the fixture will unquestionably be Rice’s controversial sending off however, there are areas to discuss beyond the Englishman’s premature exit.

Arsenal had several chances to score early in the first half which they failed to take, eventually breaking the deadlock through Kai Havertz in the 38th minute.

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

There has to be a thought that had Arsenal netted the early opportunities, less attention would be paid to Rice’s exit, as being stripped down to 10 men took its toll on the hosts.

Regardless of the result, the midfielder’s dismissal will be debated for years to come in what seemed to be a bizarre situation as Kavanagh implemented PGMOL’s crackdown on time wasting in the Premier League.

Arteta’s response was justified as Joao Pedro escaped punishment for committing the same offence as Rice, with questions there to be asked over inconsistency from the officials.