Martin Keown and Peter Crouch have made a consistency point after Declan Rice was sent off for Arsenal.
Arsenal looked set for their third Premier League win in a row to kick off the new league campaign with German Kai Havertz scoring a brilliant goal to open the scoring for the Gunners.
However, Arsenal dropped two points after Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion due to allegedly kicking the ball away.
Brighton’s Joao Pedro equalised during the second half to give the Seagulls a valuable point against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Peter Crouch and Martin Keown have given their verdict on the decision.
Peter Crouch and Martin Keown make ‘consistency’ point
With Rice sent off against Brighton, this means that the Arsenal ace is set to miss the North London derby after the international break which is a huge blow.
The Englishman was the victim of a rather bizarre refereeing decision as the North London side could now fall two points behind Manchester City as we head into the international break and will be without their key midfielder for the trip to Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the 1-1 draw against the Seagulls, Peter Crouch and Martin Keown made a similar point about the decision made during the game at the Emirates Stadium.
“I think Arsenal fans would be frustrated because Joao Pedro did something similar in the first half,” Crouch said.
“That’s had a much bigger impact on the game than Rice’s one has and yet he hasn’t been booked.”
Martin Keown then interjected and said: “It’s just the consistency of these decisions for me.”
Arsenal now set to be without Declan Rice for North London derby
For a team like Arsenal’s to function, a midfielder like Rice has been vital for the Gunners with the former West Ham United ace being a key man for the Gunners defensively and offensively with the Englishman playing as a number eight.
The Englishman will now miss the vital North London derby clash against Ange Postecoglou’s side following the resumption of the season after the international break.
Missing Rice against Tottenham will be a big blow and Arsenal simply have to win against Postecoglou’s side in North London.
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