Riccardo Calafiori aims dig at referee after Leandro Trossard’s controversial red card against Manchester City

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has aimed a subtle dig at referee Michael Oliver following Leandro Trossard’s red card against Man City

Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori appeared to suggest that referee Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Leandro Trossard was unnecessary during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City. Trossard, who had already been booked, was shown a second yellow card just before halftime. 

According to the Premier League’s match centre, the booking was not for a foul on Bernardo Silva, but for delaying the restart by kicking the ball away.

This marks the second time in three games that Arsenal have had a player sent off for a similar offence. Declan Rice was shown a red card in the draw against Brighton, causing him to miss the North London derby, but he returned for the match against City. 

When asked about the incident, Riccardo Calafiori admitted he hadn’t yet seen a replay but expressed his frustration. “I don’t want to say too much, but for me, the referee’s job is to keep the game good to watch. In these kinds of actions, they don’t need to intervene too much,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think Leo [Trossard] didn’t even hear the whistle,” the Italian added. “You have to do your job, but not more than necessary. Let the guys play, let the teams play—these are pure spectacles.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also refrained from criticising the decision too harshly. Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta focused on how his team responded after being reduced to 10 men and mentioned a first-half incident involving Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, who was not booked for a similar offence to Trossard’s.