Arsenal were furious after Leandro Trossard received a controversial red card during their intense Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The Belgium international was shown a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time for kicking the ball away after the whistle had blown.
This was particularly damaging for Arsenal, as Trossard had already been booked for a foul earlier in the game. The decision drew immediate anger from the touchline, with Mikel Arteta visibly upset and protesting to the fourth official, while Trossard’s teammates expressed their discontent with the referee’s ruling.
The Premier League’s Match Centre later explained on social media that Trossard was cautioned for “delaying the restart” by kicking the ball away. Despite this clarification, the decision remained highly debated among fans and commentators.
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville criticized Trossard’s actions as “stupidity,” arguing that once he kicked the ball away after hearing the whistle, the referee had no choice but to send him off. Neville noted that Trossard seemed to hesitate before acting, suggesting he was aware of the whistle.
He also indicated that while Arteta and his coaching staff might have initially supported Trossard, they would likely reconsider their stance after reviewing the incident. “They aren’t learning,” Neville remarked, suggesting that Arsenal players need to exhibit more discipline in crucial situations. Ultimately, while Arsenal had reason to be upset about the call, Neville’s analysis showed that Trossard’s actions left them with limited grounds for complaint. Playing a man down, Arsenal faced an uphill battle against Manchester City.