The incident occurred just after the interval, with the Gunners leading 1-0 at the time thanks to Kai Havertz’s opener. However, a red card changed the game, allowing Brighton to equalize through Joao Pedro ten minutes later. The panel, consisting of three ex-players or managers, one Premier League official, and one refereeing representative, made the verdict that Rice’s actions were “clear, deliberate and impactful” and deserved a yellow card, having already received one earlier for a foul on Veltman.

Rice expressed his disbelief at the decision, citing the inconsistency of such judgments. He highlighted the difference in treatment of similar incidents in the first half and emphasized the unexpectedness of the call made against him. His absence, along with the captain Martin Odegaard’s, due to an ankle injury, poses a challenge for Arsenal, with a total of eight players in danger of being unavailable.

In addition to the match developments, Arsenal are also facing challenges in terms of player availability, as eight players, including Martin Odegaard, are at risk of being unavailable due to injuries. Moreover, the team’s captain, Odegaard, is also set to miss the game after obtaining an ankle injury during international duty for Norway.