Gabriel Martinelli receives strange red card for Arsenal after two bookings at same time.
Just like that, Arsenal are down to 10-men!
Gabriel Martinelli picks up two yellow cards in quick succession and Michael Oliver gives him his marching orders
Arsenal hard-fought victory against Wolves was marred with their consecutive POTM being sent off in the space of a few seconds.
In one of the strangest sights in Premier League history, referee Michael Oliver showed Martinelli his first yellow – moved his arm down – and then showed him his second yellow which led Arsenal being reduced to 10 men in their Premier League game against Wolves on Thursday evening.
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Frustrated at having not been awarded a 69th minute free-kick, the Brazilian petulantly tried to block a throw-in from being taken, pushing taker Daniel Podence.
Moments later he committed a needless foul on Chiquinho, prompting referee Michael Oliver to blow his whistle.
The official had his yellow card out and signalled that Martinelli was being booked for his first offence.
And Oliver then sensationally raised the card again, confirming that it was for the subsequent foul.
To Martinelli’s astonishment, Oliver’s red card was then brandished and he was sent his marching orders
Since Arteta’s first game in charge of Arsenal on Boxing Day in 2019, the Gunners have received 15 red cards in all competitions, seven more than any other PL side in that time. Three of those have come at Molineux against Wolves ( Leno & Luiz in Feb 2021 and Martinelli tonight)
The decision was met with cheers from the home fans at Molineux and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left to reshuffle his team.
Tonight makes it 4 Red cards in Six matches in 2022. What’s happening?
Arsenal have now had four players sent off in their last six games across all competitions:
◉ Gabriel vs. Man City
◉ Xhaka vs. Liverpool
◉ Partey vs. Liverpool
◉ Martinelli vs. Wolves
The Gunners see red again.(Squawka)
Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta urged his players to improve their discipline.
“We played three games out of five with 10 men, and if that’s one of the things in the last 17 games that we continue to do, our chances to be where we are going to be really low,” said the Spaniard.
“We have to play with 11 players on the pitch. We need most of the players available and fit as much as possible. We need to maintain the togetherness.
“We have to keep improving our game model and we have to go game by game.
Should Martinelli have stay on?
The decision of Michael Oliver to send-off Gabriel Martinelli received a lot of abuses and surprises from the Arsenal fans on Twitter.
However, this isn’t the first time as Chris Braid was shown two successive yellow cards within seven seconds against Northern Ireland vs Hungary 2015.
Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Martinelli red card incident:
“I’ve never seen anything like this before. I’ve never seen that before in my career. The rules can say it’s possible, but you have to be very willing to do it.
Our Verdict:
It’s clearly seen that’s a mixture between bad decision making and bad luck for Martinelli.
Bizarre red card but both are yellow cards to be fair and it depends on the referee to make the final decision.
It’s Michael Oliver, “he has to be very willing to do it”
Arteta praised his sides resilient after their hard-earned 3 points at the Molineux stadium
I keep telling you guys how close they are, how much they like to play together, the unity and togetherness around that dressing room and how willing they are to defend that shirt every single match.
I really mean it when I say that and today was another example. I think we have so many and that’s why I’m proud to be the coach of these players. Arteta said
Arsenal sit comfortably on the fifth position – one point behind Westham with a two games in hand before they welcome Brentford to Emirates Stadium next week Saturday in their pursuit of Top four.
What’s your opinion of Gabriel Martinelli’s red card? Let us know in the comments below!