Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Arsenal legend Martin Keown says David Luiz red card rightfully upheld
Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes that David Luiz was right to be sent off and also, the FA was right to uphold the decision this week.
Luiz was shown a red for catching William Jose as he bore down on goal for Wolves. At the time, and on replays, it looked like accidental contact and Arsenal fans were left fuming with how Arsenal’s appeal went.
However, speaking to today, Keown believes there can be little complaints and instesd questioned Luiz’s thought process.
“I think the FA have got this right. The back four should work as a group and it didn’t happen,” Keown .
“He (Luiz) has got 30 yards to work out what decision to make. It must be in his mind having been sent off twice before for this in the past and he makes a run and doesn’t slow down at any point. He allows his opponent to make contact and in the referees directive, it has to be a penalty and a sending off. I have some sympathy, but the player involved should know better.”
Luiz will now miss this weekend’s fixture with Aston Villa, while the Gunners are also reeling from Bernd Leno’s sending off.
Mikel Arteta will likely turn to the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, while Rob Holding remains a good option if he goes with a back four.
TBR View: Keown’s comments won’t sit well, but he is right
Arsenal fans were furious at the decision yesterday not to overturn the red, especially when Southampton’s Jan Bednarek had his changed.
But in fairness here, Martin Keown is bang on. The laws of the game dictate that Luiz did deserve a red, regardless of if it was accidental or not.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, that’s the view the FA took as well and they’ll have to make do without the experienced Brazilian for now.