Arsenal will be without Leandro Trossard as he serves a ban for his controversial red card in the draw with Manchester City
Super Sunday lived up to its billing but it ended in disappointment for Arsenal as they were forced to settle for a share of the points against Manchester City. John Stones’ equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time denied a first win in nine years as the Gunners lead thanks to goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel.
Their task of defending the one-goal lead was made greater when Leandro Trossard was sent off on the stroke of half-time. Arsenal defended valiantly but for the second time this season, one of Mikel Arteta’s players was shown a red card for delaying the restart.
The Gunners sit fourth in the Premier League after picking up four points from their last two, in a positive return for the Spanish head coach after injuries decimated his selection options – including captain Martin Odegaard, who is set for an extended period on the sidelines with an ankle problem.
Arteta will now see Trossard added to the list of unavailable players as their attention turns to the League Cup in midweek. League One side Bolton Wanderers are the visitors to the Emirates Stadium with the prospect of a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup at stake.
The Belgian will be suspended for the encounter but due to the Football Association’s rule surrounding red cards, and relating to all domestic competitions, he will serve his one-match ban and be available for selection in the next Premier League match. As a result, Arteta will be able to choose the former Brighton & Hove Albion for the visit of Leicester City on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The Gunners boss was left unhappy with the decision by Michael Oliver, which has upset the Arsenal fan base after the impact it had on the game. He said: “I think it’s very clear. Very obvious.
“Hopefully what 100 per cent of what people thinks. It’s not my job to come here and judge what happened.
“My job is to survive in the most difficult environment you can throw in football for 55 minutes. And try to get things done to survive.
“That’s my job, the rest is not my job. It’s already the second time it has happened in five games, which is really, really worrying if we want to see the best Premier League.”