Arsenal fans were left bewildered following defender Takehiro Tomiyasu’s second yellow card during the match against Crystal Palace.
The incident occurred during the game at Selhurst Park, where the Japan international received two yellow cards within a span of seven minutes, between the 60th and 67th minutes.
Initially, Tomiyasu was cautioned for time-wasting by referee David Coote. Subsequently, he was penalized for pulling back Palace’s Jordan Ayew as the latter attempted to make progress.
Despite protests from Tomiyasu, his Arsenal teammates, and manager Mikel Arteta, the decision stood. Since it constituted a second yellow card, VAR was unable to intervene and review the call for potential reversal, as per the rules.
RED CARD FOR TOMIYASU! 🟥
What do you think of the decision? 😬 pic.twitter.com/sByfcMRptu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 21, 2023
In response, Arsenal fans directed their fury at the officiating, citing several other incidents that took place before and after the full-back’s second yellow card.
Arsenal fans respond to Tomiyasu red card
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Not a foul and not a yellow.”
Another said: “And they say there is supposed to be a ‘higher bar’ for fouls this season. Absolute joke.”
A third added: “Can’t wait for the apology.”
A fourth fumed: “VAR can’t intervene as it’s a yellow. Can’t appeal the one game ban as it was a second yellow. System is broken.”
Some fans, though, did understand the referee’s decision: “I’ll be honest – can see how he was fooled. 100 per cent need to be able to overturn yellows though.”
At the time of the sending off, Arsenal led 1-0 through Martin Odegaard’s 54th-minute penalty.
The incident led to Arteta substituting Gabriel Martinelli for Gabriel Magalhaes, while Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko also entered the action in injury time as the Gunners looked to preserve their lead.
And they did manage to hold on, withstanding some late pressure from the hosts to secure their second win out of two Premier League games at the beginning of this season.