Arsenal and Manchester City drew 2-2 in a tense Premier League battle at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The match was marked by a controversial moment just before halftime when Leandro Trossard was shown a red card for kicking the ball away in frustration after a foul on Bernardo Silva. This decision sparked a heated debate among pundits, with Roy Keane, Paul Merson, and Theo Walcott all weighing in and surprisingly agreeing on the matter.
The incident occurred in the 45th minute when Trossard, already on a yellow card, clattered into Silva. Frustrated by the foul call, Trossard kicked the ball away, leading to his second yellow card and subsequent dismissal. As a result, Arsenal had to play the whole second half with 10 men, which had a big impact on the game.
Roy Keane was quick to criticize Trossard’s actions. Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane stated, “Trossard’s behavior was reckless and unnecessary. Kicking the ball away like that, especially when you’re already on a yellow, is just asking for trouble. The referee had no choice but to send him off.”
Keane also took the opportunity to send a message to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, urging him to instill more discipline in his players. “Arteta needs to get a grip on his squad. These kinds of mistakes can cost you dearly in big games,” he added.
Paul Merson, a former Arsenal player and now a pundit, echoed Keane’s sentiments. Merson highlighted the impact of Trossard’s red card on the game, noting how it shifted the momentum in Manchester City’s favor. “Arsenal were in control and looking good for the win, but Trossard’s red card changed everything. It was a moment of madness that put his team under immense pressure,” Merson said.
Merson also pointed out that Manchester City struggled to break down Arsenal’s defense despite the numerical advantage, which he attributed to a lack of creativity and ideas from Pep Guardiola’s side.
Theo Walcott, another former Arsenal star, also agreed with Keane and Merson. Walcott, speaking on a post-match analysis show, emphasized the importance of maintaining composure in high-stakes matches. “Trossard’s actions were inexcusable. In such a crucial game, you have to keep your cool. His red card was a turning point, and it could have easily cost Arsenal the match,” Walcott remarked³.
Walcott praised Arsenal’s resilience in the second half, commending their defensive efforts to hold off Manchester City’s relentless attacks. “Despite being a man down, Arsenal showed great character and determination. They defended brilliantly and deserved the point they earned,” he added.
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