ROY KEANE has slammed Mikel Arteta for his lack of “class” after the Arsenal manager hinted at inconsistencies in his post-match interview.
Arteta was clearly furious with referee Michael Oliver after 10-man Arsenal’s chaotic 2-2 draw at Manchester City on Sunday.
Trossard was shown a second yellow card on the stroke of half-time for kicking the ball away and delaying the restart, after he’d shoved into the back of Bernardo Silva, with the scoreline at 2-1 to the visitors.
Arteta was enraged on the touchline, pulling his jumper up over his head in disbelief.
He was just as frustrated in his frosty post-match interview with Sky Sports.
The Spaniard alluded to inconsistencies in Oliver’s decision-making after City winger Jeremy Doku escaped punishment for kicking the ball away earlier in the first half.
Arteta said: “There were two incidents, very similar.
“In particular, one was very different with a different outcome that forces you to play a game that nobody wanted to watch.”
When quizzed on Trossard’s dismissal, Arteta responded icily: “You can ask me, but it’s that obvious I don’t have to comment.”
Reacting to Arteta’s comments, Sky pundit Roy Keane said that the Arsenal manager’s frustrations were misplaced.
8
8
8
8
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Former Manchester United captain Keane said: “Managers are coming out every week saying every decision is against them. Just come out and accept it.
“Deep down he’ll be satisfied with a point. Show a bit of class as the manager of Arsenal.
“Say he probably deserved the red card, we reacted well and we move on.
“That’s the end of it. Take your medicine and move on. Show a bit of class.”
Keane later added: “Wouldn’t it be good if a manager came out after a game and just said ‘Yeah, you know what he was a bit silly, it was a yellow card.
“Just come out and be big enough… players do daft stuff on a football pitch, come out and show a bit of class.
“And say: ‘The referee gave him a chance to send him off. We’re disappointed but we move on’.”
But pundits are split on the Doku incident with Keane, and Alan Shearer, later pointing out that the Belgian was asked to pass the ball back towards Declan Rice for a free-kick by Oliver.
But Doku hit the ball way past the England international.
Arsenal ratings vs Man City
TEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.
Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.
Here’s how the players rated…
DAVID RAYA – 9
Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol.
RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8
A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.
GABRIEL – 9
Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.
SUBS
WHITE – 7
(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.
KIWIOR – 6
(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.
JESUS – 6
(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutes
LEWIS SKELLY – 6
(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.
Click here to read more on Arsenal.
And Paul Merson said: “If Doku can’t play it to Rice he shouldn’t be playing football.
“He’s kicking the ball away in my opinion. Rice is there, and he’s kicked it to there.
“We’ve got to use a bit of common sense here otherwise we’ll just be sending people off left, right and centre.”
It’s the second time this season Arsenal have had a player sent off for delaying the restart after Rice was given his marching orders in a 1-1 draw with Brighton at the Emirates.
Arsenal went into half-time 2-1 up after goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel turned the game on its head following Erling Haaland’s early opener – his 100th for the club.
But Trossard’s red card changed the game as Arsenal felt compelled to park the bus for 45 minutes as Ben White replaced Bukayo Saka at the break.
Arteta’s side were mere seconds away from producing one of the finest defensive performances in Prem history and securing a historic win at the Etihad before John Stones equalised in the 97th minute.
8
8
