Terrible tackle rules sent off Koscielny out of FA Cup final for Arsenal

Terrible tackle rules sent off Koscielny out of FA Cup final for Arsenal image

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will not be available to play in the upcoming FA Cup final after a reckless lunge on Everton's Enner Valencia that saw him sent off on Sunday.

No Watford contact - Ranieri

The Ecuador international was charging down the right wing when he was abruptly halted by the France international, who leapt into the challenge fully committed but did not come close to making a connection with the ball.

Referee Michael Oliver checked the condition of the South American before dismissing the former Lorient man.

It was the 32-year-old's second red card of the season, having previously been sent off against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Gunners' Champions League defeat to the Bundesliga champions.

Koscielny has now been dismissed eight times in his career, with this the sixth occasion he has seen red in 291 appearances for Arsene Wenger's men.

This red is one of his most costly as it means he will miss the opportunity to turn out at Wembley next weekend, when the Gunners will tackle Chelsea in a bid to win their third FA Cup in the space of four years.

Hector Bellerin had opened the scoring in the must-win match - the final game of the Gunners' Premier League season - before Koscielny saw a straight red card for his terrible tackle on Valencia.