Mikel Arteta has said he expects 100 Premier League games to include at least one sending off this season after Leandro Trossard was sent off in Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Manchester City.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the ninth minute but goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães gave the visitors a 2-1 lead before Trossard was sent off in first-half stoppage time.
After being booked, Trossard fouled Bernardo Silva and then kicked the ball out, prompting referee Michael Oliver to show the Belgium international a second yellow card.
Sunday's incident is the second time in three games that Arsenal have had a player sent off in this manner following Declan Rice's dismissal against Brighton.
As a result, City dominated the second half and secured a point thanks to substitute John Stones' 98th-minute equaliser.
In the same game, Jérémy Doku appeared to escape punishment for delaying the restart during the first half, with Arteta saying: “That's what I'm saying. It's so obvious that there's no need to comment on it. It's the second time. I hope 100 Premier League games are 10v11 or 9v10 this season. We'll see.”
Asked if he felt he was allowed to express his true opinion on the incident, Arteta said: “I've done it if I wanted to. Today I don't want to do it.”
“I'd rather not comment. I've seen it and it's that obvious, so I'll leave it up to you. I was already in big trouble trying to sort out what happened on the field. It's not my problem to sort out what happens off the field.”
Arteta praised his players' resilience in the second half as City racked up 20 shots to Arsenal's zero in pursuit of an equaliser, while criticising the amount of added time at the end of the game.
“The way the team competes is unbelievable,” Arteta said. “I'm very proud of them. You can't be in a more difficult situation against that type of opponent. The way we handled that situation was unbelievable. I'm very proud of them.”
“The boys were very devastated [after the game]They put so much effort into it. They put their heart and soul into every action. And then to be punished at the last minute… well, it was 97. [minutes]So there were 99 [minutes] –they were devastated. They also know that today they have taken another big step towards doing what they have done as individuals here.”
With the teams sharing the points, City remain top of the table with 13 points after five games, while Arsenal sit fourth on 11 points.
