According to the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI), Declan Rice deserved to be sent off during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates, Soccernet.football reports.
The England international received a second yellow card while the Gunners had the upper hand with a one goal lead, and that decision shifted momentum in the Seagulls’ favour.
Rice was already on a booking when he delayed Brighton’s Joel Veltman from taking a quick free kick by gently nudging the ball away with his foot. Although Veltman’s forceful kick struck Rice, it was the Arsenal player who was penalized for impeding the free kick and subsequently sent off.
According to ESPN, the KMI concluded: “Rice knows exactly what he’s doing. It’s a subtle touch, but once the referee sees it, he has no choice.”
The KMI consists of five members, including three former Premier League players or coaches, a Premier League official, and a representative from the refereeing body PGMOL. In this case, all five agreed that Rice deserved a second yellow card from referee Chris Kavanagh.
As a result, the 25-year-old will miss Arsenal’s trip to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 15th of September, adding to Mikel Arteta’s midfield selection headache.
The Gunners will also be without summer signing Mikel Merino, who sustained a shoulder injury early in his training, while captain Martin Odegaard is recovering from an ankle injury he sustained during Norway’s Nations League victory over Austria and is currently on crutches after returning from international duty.