Arsenal have received their second red card of the Premier League season with Leandro Trossard being sent off at Manchester City.
The Gunners are aiming for their first EPL win at the Etihad Stadium under Mikel Arteta but their task was made more difficult by Trosard’s second booking just before half-time.
During a heated clash, the Belgian international was sent off by referee Michael Oliver in a controversial atmosphere.
Why was Trossard sent off at Manchester City?
Trossard’s red card signifies déjà vu for Arsenal fans after Declan Rice was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in August.
Rice received a second yellow card against the Seagulls for deliberately blocking a quick free-kick from being taken. Under the Premier League’s stricter rules this season, that triggers an automatic booking, and Trossard suffered the same fate.
After fouling Bernardo Silva, Trossard continued his momentum and kicked the ball after Oliver had awarded a free kick.
City’s players immediately appealed for a second booking as Arsenal pleaded Trossard’s innocence over the incident.
The Premier League gave a key update at half-time that he had been booked for “delaying the restart”.
#MCIARS 45+7′
The referee gave Leandro Trossard a second yellow card for delaying the restart.
— Premier League Match Center (@PLMatchCentre) September 22, 2024
Reaction to Trossard’s red card: fans and experts divided
Arsenal fans and players were unsurprisingly furious at the incident, especially as Oliver appeared to have let Jeremy Doku get away with a booking for a similar act in the first half.
?? Jeremy Doku blatantly delays the restart before Leandro Trossard is sent off in the first half…pic.twitter.com/nCdGCv43gh
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) September 22, 2024
Pundits covering the match for Sky Sports had a different view, with former Premier League winner Roy Kean suggesting Trossard had left the referee little choice but that Doku had been lucky to escape a penalty.
“If he can’t become Rice, he shouldn’t play football!”
Did Jeremy Doku get away with that one in the first half ? pic.twitter.com/nUMsj7ocy8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
