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Alan Shearer and Roy Keane agree on Leandro Trossard Arsenal red card vs Man City

Leandro Trossard of Arsenal is shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Alan Shearer and Roy Keane both believe Arsenal star Leandro Trossard deserved to be sent off against Manchester City.

The Belgian international was shown a second yellow card on the stroke of half time, after barging into Bernardo Silva before kicking the ball away in frustration. The 29-year-old had been booked earlier in the half for a tug on Savinho.

With the Gunners leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel, Trossard's red card meant his side played the entire second half with 10 men. Man City dominated and eventually scored an equaliser in the 98th minute, with John Stones tapping home from close range.

Speaking after the match, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane slammed Trossard for giving referee Michael Oliver the chance to send him off. Speaking to Sky Sports, the pundit said: "You're on a yellow card – listen, unfortunately I had a few reds – you try not to give a referee a chance to give you another yellow.

"He's given him the perfect opportunity to say 'look, you've barged into somebody', and he has kicked the ball away. It's not even a debate. You don't need to watch it 30 times, he's wrong. It's a second yellow and it's the height of stupidity."

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The sending off was also analysed on Match of the Day 2, with Mark Chapman, Alan Shearer and Shay Given having their say on the incident. "We've seen this already this season with Arsenal, with Declan Rice kicking the ball," Given said.

"It could have been a yellow card for the challenge on Silva to be honest and then he kicks it away. I think it's the right decision." Shearer added: "Can't have any complaints."

Shortly after Trossard was given his matching orders, the Premier League released a statement explaining why he was sent off. "The referee issued a second yellow card to Leandro Trossard for delaying the restart," the statement read.

Mikel Arteta was in no mood after the match to comment on the red card. "I prefer not to comment," the Arsenal boss said. "I've seen it and it's that obvious, so I'll leave it to you guys.

"I was already in big trouble trying to solve what happened on the pitch. It's not my problem to solve what happens off the pitch."

Reflecting on the performance, Arteta added: "I'm so proud of them. It's unbelievable how we react.

"I cannot be happy. I want to be involved in a game at this level that puts the game in a situation that we can enjoy and talk about it in the proper way. We're not talking about that. It's clear."