Report sheds light on what Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard told teammates after red card against Manchester City
Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard reportedly clarified his stance to teammates after being sent off against Manchester City in their 2-2 draw at the weekend (September 22). The Belgian was given his marching orders in first half stoppage time when the Gunners were leading 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
The hosts had taken the lead through their star striker Erling Haaland (9') after he was sent through on goal by a precise throughball by new signing Savinho. Arsenal's summer signing Riccardo Calafiori leveled the score with a brilliant curler in the 22nd minute after a controversial restart from a free kick.
Defender Gabriel Magalhaes (45+1) scored his second goal in as many matches by heading in a corner to give the visitors the lead. The biggest talking point of the match, however, arrived in stoppage time of the first period when Trossard was sent off for time wasting.
The Belgian booted the ball away after referee Michael Oliver blew the whistle signaling a foul against him. The official brandished that action as delaying the restart and gave him a yellow card, which was his second of the match.
According to John Cross from the Mirror, Trossard told his teammates that he didn't hear the whistle and was trying to build an attack for his team. He tried explaining that to Oliver but to no avail.
Ten-man Arsenal played admirably and kept City at bay for most of the second half. However, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, John Stones leveled the score by smashing in a loose ball to break the Gunners' hearts.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta questions Trossard sending off
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was visibily frustrated at the end of the match. He spoke about Trossard's sending off that eventually cost them an elusive win at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to the press after the match, here's what the Spaniard had to say:
"I’m not talking about anything, I’m just saying what happened. I think it’s very obvious, I don’t need to talk about it."
An aggrieved Arteta also spoke about how this was the second time his team got the short end of the stick. Against Brighton & Hove Albion, Declan Rice was also sent off for trying to delay the restart.
"It’s not my job to come here and judge what happened. My job is to survive in the most difficult environment you can in football for 55 minutes and try to get things done to survive. That was my job. The rest of it is not my job and it’s already the second time it’s happened in five games, which is really really worrying. We want to see the best Premier League," he said.
"In football or in any sport it’s less than a second. Less. Than. A. Second. The previous one (Doku’s) is more than a second. That’s it. Simple," Arteta added.
Arsenal will next face Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, September 25.