Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes James McArthur of Crystal Palace deserved a red card for his foul on Bukayo Saka in the 2-2 Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night.
In the 42nd minute, with the Gunners leading by a solitary goal scored by their skipper, McArthur volleyed Saka's leg after the latter had cleared a ball. Referee Mike Dean showed the Palace man a yellow card for the challenge, but for the hosts, they were forced to make a change after the break, with Sambi Lokonga taking the English youngster's place.
After the match, the Gabon international managed to look at the incident and made his conclusions.
"How is that not red?! I had not seen it like that from the field," Aubameyang was left baffled.
😱comment c’est pas rouge ça ?! J’avais pas vu ça comme ça du terrain😡
— AUBA⚡️ (@Auba) October 18, 2021
Later on, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta updated on the condition of the 20-year-old attacker.
"Yeah, Bukayo could not continue. We had to take him off at the half time. I saw the action and I can’t believe how the player continued on the pitch," Arteta told the club's official portal.
"I don’t know [the extent of the injury], we will see how it evolves. Obviously, he couldn’t continue and he’s a boy that’s pretty tough and wants to keep playing, but he could not carry on and we have a quick turnaround for the next game, so we will see how he evolves."
The tactician failed to understand why the VAR was not used in the incident.
"I don’t get it. With what we were explained at the start of the season and what happened [on Monday night], it doesn’t make any sense," he said.
After going to the break trailing, Christian Benteke completed a Jordan Ayew pass in the 50th minute to bring the teams into level terms. In the 73rd minute, the visitors took the lead for the first time when Odsonne Edouard converted a Michael Olise effort.
But substitute Alexandre Lacazette ensured the spoils were shared in stoppage time after pouncing on a loose ball in the danger zone.