Leandro Trossard became the second Arsenal star to be sent off for kicking the ball away over recent weeks and had some defiant words for his team-mates after his dismissal
Leandro Trossard told his team mates he did not hear the whistle before being sent off against Manchester City.
Trossard got his marching orders for a second yellow card during the stormy clash at the Etihad after referee Michael Oliver ruled the Arsenal player was guilty of delaying the restart. But Trossard made it clear in the dressing room that he was actually trying to play a pass, did not hear the whistle and even told the referee but still saw red.
That is at the top of a list of a catalogue of grievances amid the fall-out from the title showdown. City stars have accused Arsenal of using “dark arts” including time wasting – when official stats actually show the opposite is true.
Opta stats reveal the ball was in play for 63 mins 29 secs which is the FIFTH longest of any Premier League game this season. Therefore, there is confusion over why there was so much added time with eight minutes at the end of the first half and nine at the end of the second half.
Fourth official Andy Madley originally indicated there would be six minutes extra before full time – but put another minute on when an Arsenal player got treatment.
Arsenal had played at Atalanta on Thursday night, travelled back, got back at 4am and then had to play at City two days later which clearly explains why so many players suffered cramp during the game, especially as they played the vast majority of the game with ten men.
Two extra minutes were then added during injury time which allowed John Stones to score the last gasp equaliser. But, again, there is frustration as to why there is a lack of consistency over how much injury time is added in each game and the Opta stats actually showed the ball stayed in play well above the Premier League threshold target of 60 minutes.
The most it has stayed in play for any game this season was West Ham’s home defeat to City on August 31 when it was 66 mins 12 secs. PGMOL are adamant that added time is totted up on injuries, substitutions and goal celebrations so they regard it as fair.
Referee Oliver also did not show a yellow card at City winger Jeremy Doku who also kicked the ball away which ultimately delayed a set piece. That is the second time this season – after Declan Rice’s second yellow for the same offence – that an Arsenal player has seen red for kicking the ball away while a player from the opposition has escaped punishment.
That lack of consistency is likely to be Mikel Arteta’s biggest gripe while Arsenal could also point to City players surrounding referee Oliver to protest against decisions – and then not face any action.
Ref Oliver also did not show a yellow card to Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai for kicking the ball away during their home defeat to Bournemouth which has raised accusations of double standards. Szoboszlai was deemed to be kicking the ball away in frustration rather than delaying the restart.
