Mikel Arteta has said he expects 100 Premier League games to feature at least one sending off this season after Leandro Trossard was dismissed in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Manchester City.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the ninth minute but goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães gave the visitors a 2-1 lead before Trossard received his marching orders in first-half stoppage time.
Having already been booked, Trossard fouled Bernardo Silva and then kicked the ball away, prompting referee Michael Oliver to issue the Belgium international with a second yellow card.
Sunday’s incident is the second time in three games that Arsenal have had a player sent off in this manner following Declan Rice’s dismissal against Brighton.
City dominated the second half as a result and snatched a point through substitute John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser.
In the same game, Jérémy Doku appeared to escape punishment for delaying the restart during the first half and Arteta said: “That’s what I’m saying. It’s that obvious that it’s not necessary to comment on it. It’s the second time. I’m expecting 100 Premier League games to be, 10 against 11 or nine versus 10 this season. Let’s see.”
Asked if he felt he was allowed to express his true opinion on the incident, Arteta said: “I have if I want to. Today I don’t want to.
“I prefer not to comment. I’ve seen it and it’s that obvious so I’ll leave it to you guys. I was already in big trouble trying to solve what happened on the pitch. It’s not my problem to solve what happens off the pitch.”
Arteta hailed his players resilience in the second half as City racked up 20 shots to Arsenal’s zero in search of an equaliser while taking a swipe at the amount of time added on at the end of the game.
“The way the team competes is unbelievable,” Arteta said. “I’m so proud of them. You cannot be thrown in a more difficult situation against that kind of opponent. The way we handled that situation was unbelievable. I’m so proud of them.
“The boys were very gutted [after the game]. They put so much in. They put their heart and soul into every action. Then to be punished in the last minute — well it was 97 [minutes], then it was 99 [minutes] — they were gutted. They know as well that they have made another big step today to do what they’ve done as individuals here.”
With the teams sharing the points, City remain at the top of the table with 13 points after five games while Arsenal sit fourth with 11 points.