Arsenal star Leandro Trossard has been in the headlines since his red card against Manchester City.
The Gunners took on the champions at the Etihad last Sunday and despite going a goal down early, they came from behind to lead 2-1 during first-half stoppage time.
However, just before the referee blew the half-time whistle, Trossard was given a red card after Michael Oliver decided that he was delaying a restart.
Arsenal managed to secure a point in that game and have since beaten Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup. But, an interesting video released by the Gunners led to many fans believing that Trossard has been punished by Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta responds to suggestions that he punished Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard
Every Arsenal fan knows that Arteta is a disciplinarian.
The Spaniard has previously banished players from the side for lack of discipline, while he has introduced a few friendly punishments within the squad to make them better as well.
For example, a couple of years ago, Gabriel Magalhaes was punished for losing a training drill – he had to bring breakfast to the whole squad.
Ahead of the game against Leicester City, Arsenal released a video of some of their first-team players entering the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Trossard was one of them and the Belgian, interestingly, had an ice cooler in each hand as he walked in for training with his teammates.
That led to many fans claiming that Arteta may have punished Trossard for his red card against Manchester City – perhaps by asking him to bring chilled water to all the other players.
Arteta was asked about this in his press conference, and the Arsenal boss had no idea about it. He confirmed that Trossard was given no punishment.
He said, as relayed on HaytersTV: “I haven’t seen that. This is not a punishment that I made him do (laughs). I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Premier League panel release verdict on Leandro Trossard’s red card
Trossard’s red card against Manchester City has divided opinion among the footballing world.
Some feel the Belgian was wrong to kick the ball away, while others have claimed that the referee, once again, failed to use common sense.
Arsenal fans were furious with the decision, but the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel have ruled that Trossard was right to be sent off for his actions.
That, in our opinion, is absolutely ridiculous, and if the referees continue to enforce this law, there will be about 100 red cards shown in the Premier League this season.
That will ruin the game, more than it already has.
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