WILLIAM SALIBA saw red to spark controversy in Arsenal’s defeat at Bournemouth.
The centre-back earned his first ever sending-off as VAR intervened over a professional foul on the halfway line.
Saliba pulled back Evanilson as the Brazil attacker attempted to burst completely clear in mid-pitch.
VAR Jared Gillett summoned on-pitch ref Rob Jones to the monitor.
And after looking, Jones had no doubts as he waved a red to reduce the Gunners to 10 men.
Saliba will now be banned for just ONE game.
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Had it been violent conduct, he would have been suspended for three matches.
Fans were split over the drama, which came half an hour into a tight, goalless first period at the Vitality Stadium.
Saliba and Evanilson tangled just inside the Arsenal half.
It appeared the Frenchman was the offender as they both went to ground.
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But even if Evanilson had been allowed to break through, he would still have had plenty of work to do.
One viewer claimed: “I think the attacking player was too far from the post – maybe yellow.”
But another said of Saliba’s actions: “Very reckless from a star player.”
Referees’ chief Howard Webb was spotted apparently in animated conversation on a phone at the time of the incident.
Pundit Jamie Carragher responded to that scene with a tweet – which he quickly deleted.
One supporter still claimed it was “not a good look” for Webb – but others attacked “conspiracy theories” over the matter.
Some fans suggested Evanilson had been offside.
But one posted: “No, the referee made the correct call after the VAR review to send off Saliba after taking down Evanilson, last man and had a clear run towards goal.
“For anyone questioning an ‘offside’, Trossard played the ball in this scenario.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
