Former Tottenham player Jamie O'Hara defends Declan Rice following controversial red card and clashes with talkSPORT co-host
Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy clash on talkSPORT over Declan Rice's controversial red card for Arsenal on Saturday.
The rice was Given his marching orders In the 49th minute, referee Chris Kavanagh subtly kicked the ball wide from a Brighton free-kick and the result was a second yellow card for the England international.
The gunners The team was then ahead thanks to a high pass from Kai Havertz in the 38th minute.
Brighton took control after Rice's red card and equalised through João Pedro in the 58th minute, but despite having more chances they were unable to find the winner in north London.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta was furious after the match and lamented the inconsistent decisions.
“I was shocked,” Arteta said. “Shocked, shocked, shocked by how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing happens.”
“Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan (on the back of the leg), he turns around, doesn't see the player coming and touches the ball.
“According to the law, you can make that decision, but then, according to the law, you have to make the next decision, which is a red card, so we played 10 against 10. That's what surprised me. At this level it's unbelievable.”
Former Tottenham midfielder O'Hara surprisingly sided with the Arsenal midfielder, despite club loyalties.
Former Chelsea However, defender Cundy disagreed and the pair clashed on the talkSPORT phone-in.
O'Hara:“Personally, I think it's very harsh. João Pedro took a free kick and he wasn't cautioned.
“Declan Rice gets a yellow card for that. If he goes and kicks it against the advertising boards or picks it up and runs off and then throws it away, then that’s fine.
—But he gives him a little tap. Come on, where's the common sense?
Cundy:“Don’t do it. Don’t kick the ball.”
O'Hara:“He hasn't kicked the ball.”
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Cundy:“Semantics, he's thrown it in the trash. Come on, buddy. Don't do it. We know the laws.
“We know this happens. Should João Pedro have been given a yellow card in the first half? Yes. So if João Pedro was given a yellow card in the first half, would Arsenal fans say that was fair?”
“Or are they just complaining because João Pedro didn’t do it in the first half? (Chris) Kavanagh made a mistake in the first half. He did it in the second half.
“Don't throw it away. Semantics. Come on. Did he throw it away?
O'Hara:“I don't think he even knows the guy is going to try to take a long free kick.
Cundy:“Don’t do it.”
O'Hara:“I just think it's tough.”
Cundy:It may be hard, but don't do it. Don't do it.
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O'Hara: “There is no consistency, which is obviously an important point that we always insist on.
“But I don’t think that’s right. If he kicks the ball when they’re on the counter and they’re attacking and there’s a guy who’s going to run into the box and wants to play a quick free kick and he stops it and you kick it, fine.”
Cundy: ““Sorry, that’s not in the rules of the game.”
O'Hara: “Where is the rule of a referee's common sense? Where is the rule of 'I can't send him off for that'?
“Even if it’s the first yellow card, you say: Dec, I’m going to give you a yellow card because you’re stupid. But sending him off, I think that’s really tough.
“I love seeing Arsenal in pain, but I don't think that deserves a red card.”
Cundy: “It’s his fault. Declan Rice is a seasoned professional. He’s a seasoned player at club and country level. He looks at the ball. He knows what he’s doing. It’s petulance.
“I remember David Beckham was sent off against Argentina for touching Simeone’s leg and he was sent off.”
O'Hara:It's very different, my friend.
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