The Gunners centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes was sent off during their Premier League fixture against defending champions Manchester City (2-1) on January 1.
Mikel Arteta’s men had a forgettable outing against City, with them Emirates feeling hard-done by a number of decisions that didn’t go their way.
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Ederson’s stretched challenge on Martin Odegaard did not warrant a further-check or a penalty, but Bernardo Silva’s questionable tumble did win City a penalty. Gabriel was sent off for receiving two yellows in a trice, as the visiting side scored a last-gasp winner to seal a 2-1 win.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, they added an embarrassing record to their tally after this defeat, which came on the back of Gabriel’s red. Since the formation of Premier League in 1992, only they are the only side to have received a total of 100 red cards.
The Brazilian was also the 11th different player to be sent off under Arteta. Since former Arsenal midfielder took over as the club’s manager in December 2019, no other team had as many players sent off.
The North London side were on the front foot against City in this clash, and took a well-deserved lead just after the 30th minute. Kieran Tierney’s low cross from in front of the 18-yard box was hammered first time by Bukayo Saka, leaving the Emirates in a paradise of joy. They managed to hold that lead in the first half, also maintaining plenty of control on the ball.
Not long into the second half, Bernardo went down in the penalty box after a challenge from Granit Xhaka. Although the on-field referee Stuart Attwell deemed it harmless, replays suggested that Xhaka had mildly pulled Silva’s shirt, which may have caused the tumble. The penalty was awarded after VAR consultation, and Riyaz Mahrez smashed it home.
Gabriel Martinelli missed an open netting after a mix-up between Ederson, and Ruben Dias required a stunning goal-line clearance from Nathan Ake. His clearance fell straight to Martinelli, who had an open net in front of him, but managed to fire it above the goal post. Gabriel was soon handed a second yellow, making Arsenal switch to a back-three.
They very nearly had a point taken out of this fixture until Kevin de Bruyne’s failed attempt to find Rodri in the box was headed out his reach by Rob Holding, but it somehow fell under his feet again, and the Spain international placed it past Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal were without Arteta on the sidelines for this fixture, as the manager had tested coronavirus positive on December 29.
