BREAKING: Declan Rice finally cleared to play against Tottenham – PGMOL final decision taken this morning – Congratulations Arsenal fans
BREAKING: Declan Rice finally cleared to play against Tottenham – PGMOL final decision taken this morning – Congratulations Arsenal fans
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has shared his disappointment after being sent off during Arsenal’s home game against Brighton, where the team only managed a draw. This match marked the first time Arsenal dropped points this season.
Rice, who plays for England’s national team, was already carrying a yellow card from an earlier foul in the first half. The referee, Chris Kavanagh, gave Rice a red card for delaying a free-kick that Brighton’s Joel Veltman was about to take. This incident happened deep in Brighton’s half of the field.
Many football experts and Arsenal fans were unhappy with the decision. They felt it was unfair because Rice barely touched the ball, and the ball was still moving when he made contact. They argued that this didn’t deserve a red card.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, was also upset with the decision but chose not to argue directly with the referee. However, he did ask for more consistency in the referee’s decisions. He pointed out that Brighton’s Joao Pedro was not punished for a similar action earlier in the game.
After the match, Rice shared his thoughts. He said, “You could see from my reaction that I was surprised. The referee made his decision… I didn’t run up to the ball or kick it away. I just slightly touched it with my foot.”
Rice accepted that even a small touch can result in a red card, especially since he had already committed a foul in the first half. He acknowledged that his first-half foul was a 50-50 challenge, and he lost it.
Rice went on to say that the second incident felt especially tough and unfair because it happened near the corner flag, where Brighton couldn’t really do much with the ball. He said it’s something he needs to learn from and move on. He also praised his teammates, the manager, and the fans for their support during the game.
Rice’s red card means he will miss Arsenal’s next match, a big game against their local rivals, Tottenham, after the international break. This adds to Arsenal’s problems, as their new signing, Mikel Merino, is also injured, leaving a gap in the midfield.
Despite the setback, Rice remained hopeful. He said, “We’ll keep pushing forward. I know it’s hard, not just for me but for everyone. We have tough games ahead after the international break, but we’ll be ready.”
Rice reflected more on the incident, saying, “This was my first red card in my career, so I just want to apologize to my teammates, which I’ve already done, and to the fans. It’s never easy getting sent off—you feel guilty. But my teammates did well, and we didn’t lose the game. I’ll learn from this and appreciate the fans’ support. It’s not like me to get red cards, so I’ll figure out how to improve.”
Rice ended on a positive note, saying, “I’ll definitely be back. I believe in this group of players, including myself, and I know we are all working towards the same goal—to be successful.”
