Brendan Rodgers says red card was a "good decision" as Jamie Vardy scores twice to dent Gunners' top-four ambitions
Sunday 28 April 2019 19:23, UK
Unai Emery was left frustrated with referee Michael Oliver's decision to send off Ainsley Maitland-Niles during Arsenal's damaging 3-0 defeat to Leicester on Sunday.
Maitland-Niles, who made two fouls during his time on the pitch, received his second booking in the 36th minute for a late challenge on James Maddison, having been cautioned earlier for a foul on Ben Chilwell.
Arsenal head coach Emery reacted to the decision by remonstrating with the fourth official and then throwing his jacket down on his seat.
And, having seen Arsenal's top-four hopes dealt another blow with a third loss in the last week, he told Sky Sports: "I don't agree with the decision because for me the key is the first yellow card and it's very clear it was not [a yellow].
"But we are both playing with the referee and he decided that and for us it's not a good decision.
"It did change it a lot to play with one player less because we prepared with our gameplan to be strong defensively, but with the red card the plan changed."
Arsenal have now lost four of their last five Premier League games, conceding three goals in three successive matches.
They remain fifth in the Premier League on 66 points, with sixth-placed Manchester United playing fourth-placed Chelsea later on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Asked how difficult it will be for Arsenal to finish in the top four now, Emery said: "We are thinking in the present and the next match is Valencia, then we think about Brighton [next Sunday] and winning.
"At the beginning of the season, during the season and now, we knowwe have possibility in the Europa League also and in the Premier League we will play Brighton at home and try to win."
While Arsenal's top-four hopes were damaged by the result, Leicester remain in the hunt for seventh place and a possible Europa League spot.
They are three points behind seventh-placed Wolves, with a slightly superior goal difference, and manager Brendan Rodgers felt the red card was a "good decision".
"It was probably an accumulation of fouls and young Ben Chilwell staying on his feet in the box might have saved him from going earlier," said the Leicester boss.
"I think Michael had no choice. There was a number of fouls and it was his second foul in the game that got him a second yellow so it was a good decision."
Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness said: "No complaints on the first booking. He obstructs, he raises his left arm and catches him. On the second booking, he's very unlucky. There is not a lot of contact. It's very harsh. Maddison goes down...but holding what? Where's the contact?"
Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith: "I do feel Maitland-Niles was unlucky to see red."
