Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta bemoans ‘inconsistency’ after Declan Rice’s controversial red card

Mikel Arteta bemoaned the lack of “consistency” in refereeing decisions as he offered his verdict on Declan Rice’s controversial red card.

Arsenal dropped points following a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton, where the midfielder was shown the first red card of his career in the second half.

Rice was given his marching orders by referee Chris Kavanagh after he subtly kicked the ball away from a Brighton free-kick - resulting in a second yellow.

“If that happens throughout the game in a consistent way then that’s fine, but it didn’t,” Arteta said at full-time.

“In the first half there were a number of occasions where they kicked the ball away and nothing happened, so it’s the inconsistency.”