5 players who were sent off on their full Premier League debut
Playing in the Premier League is a dream many players strive for. Arguably one of the best leagues in the world - what with the competitiveness, the atmosphere, the high wages - it is no wonder then that players look to move to England when they get the chance.
However, things don't always go according to plan for some of these players and they endure a nightmare on their debut. Whether it is losing their cool or simply not getting to grips with the English game, some of them have failed to play the full 90 minutes on their first start in the league.
Here are five players who saw red and were sent off on their full Premier League debut.
1) Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
Suffice it to say that Laurent Koscielny saw it all in his first Premier League game. The Arsenal debutante had been signed from Lorient for close to £9m and a lot was expected of the French centre-back.
However, a humdinger of a clash awaited Arsenal as they traveled to Anfield to take on Liverpool. And the young defender almost saw his season ended by a crunching tackle from Joe Cole (who was also making his Liverpool debut) towards the end of the first half.
Koscielny was stretchered off as Cole was sent off by the referee. But the centre-back did come out for the second half as Arsenal had not made a substitution. The second 45 minutes saw the Gunners first concede before equalising in injury time.
But Koscielny was booked in stoppage time and a second yellow card saw him sent off on debut as both sides finished with 10 men. It did not stop him from becoming one of their best players in seasons to come, though, as he even picked up the captain's armband on occasion.