WILLIAM SALIBA saw red to spark controversy in Arsenal’s clash at Bournemouth.
The centre-back earned his first ever sending-off as VAR intervened over a professional foul on HALF-WAY.
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Saliba pulled back Evanilson as the Brazil attacker attempted to burst completely clear in mid-pitch.
VAR Jared Gillett told on-pitch ref Rob Jones to the monitor.
And after looking, Jones had no doubts as he waved a red to reduce the Gunners to 10 men.
Saliba will now be banned for just ONE game.
Had it been violent conduct, he would have been suspended for three matches.
Fans were split over the drama, which came half an hour into a tight, goalless first period at the Vitality Stadium.
Saliba and Evanilson tangled just inside the Arsenal half.
It appeared the Frenchman was the offender as they both went to ground.
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But even if Evanilson had been allowed to break through, he would still have had plenty of work to do.
One viewer claimed: “I think the attacking player was too far from the post – maybe yellow.”
But another said of Saliba’s actions: “Very reckless from a star player.”
Referees’ chief Howard Webb was spotted apparently in animated conversation on a phone at the time of the incident.
Pundit Jamie Carragher responded to that scene with a tweet – which he quickly deleted.
One supporter still claimed it was “not a good look” for Webb – but others attacked “conspiracy theories” over the incident
Some fans suggested Evanilson had been offside.
But one posted: “No, the referee made the correct call after the VAR review to send off Saliba after taking down Evanilson, last man and had a clear run towards goal.
“For anyone questioning an ‘offside’, Trossard played the ball in this scenario.”
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