Declan Rice has revealed his thoughts on the controversial red card he was shown in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates.
The England star was shown a yellow card in the first half of the clash for a late tackle, but was later punished for lightly kicking the ball way from Brighton’s Joel Veltman while play was stopped.
Referee Chris Kavanagh immediately pulled out his cards, dismissing the Arsenal midfielder while the Gunners were forced to battle on with just 10 men remaining. The decision proved costly for the hosts, as just moments later Joao Pedro was presented the opportunity to equalise.
Rice, who’s sending off on Saturday marked his first ever red card in his Premier League career, has admitted to being shocked by the decision.
“I was shocked, I think you could see in my face I was shocked. He’s obviously gone over, I’ve not sprinted back in front of him and smashed the ball away. I’ve touched the ball with the outside of my foot. Look, this is the law of the game.
“If you touch the ball away, even a little bit, obviously it’s a red card, after my challenge in the first half – which I fully accept was a 50-50 that I didn’t win. But the second-half one, especially with it being in the corner flag, they can’t really progress anywhere from there. It was tough, it was harsh, but it’s one of those things.
“I just wanted to apologise to my teammates, which I’ve done, and to the fans. When you get sent off, it’s never nice, you get a sense of guilt over you, and I was lucky that my teammates really helped me out and we didn’t lose the game.
“It’s not in my nature really to get red cards, so I’ll learn from it, I’ll see where I can be better, and I’ll be back for sure.”
Rice’s red card will see him miss the first north London derby of the season against Tottenham Hotspur on September 15. He will be back in time to face reigning champions Manchester City, however, just a week later at the Etihad Stadium.
