Mateo Kovacic escapes two red cards as Man City get huge let off against Arsenal

Premier League match preview: Arsenal v Man City

Manchester City star Mateo Kovacic escaped a red card for two crunching challenges in the first half against Arsenal, as the Gunners were calling for him to be sent off for fouls on Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. The Croatian went in tough on his midfield opponents, but after a lengthy VAR check he came away with just a yellow for the first clash with the home captain at the Emirates and no further punishment for his second offence.

Kovacic’s studs were up as he went through the back of Odegaard after the ball had already been played. Referee Michael Oliver brandished a yellow card before a VAR review, but the on-field decision remained. Just a few minutes later, Kovacic made a similarly crunching foul on Rice but the referee quickly waved away protests as the Manchester City man remained on the pitch.

It was a spicy first-half contest that also saw Kovacic’s midfield partner Bernardo Silva booked for a foul on Eddie Nketiah, as Pep Guardiola’s side were tasked with the job of replacing Rodri in midfield – as the influential holding player sat out the blockbuster Premier League clash due to suspension.

Manchester United icon Gary Neville on commentary felt that Kovacic’s foul on Odegaard was an “orange” card and the summer signing could perhaps feel fortunate after recent sending-offs for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Chelsea’s Malo Gusto as a result of similar fouls.

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“It’s a needless one,” Neville said. “Wasn’t clever from Kovacic – he is nowhere near the ball. I don’t think that is a good one at all, he goes right in on his ankle there. I don’t like that one.

“There was one last week that was pretty similar and I thought that was a genuine challenge for the ball, this one to be fair he is not getting there. I think that’s a bad one. I think there is just enough doubt – I wasn’t definitely red, it was orange.”

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On the foul on Rice, which Oliver did not deem a second bookable offence, Neville added: “I think he is lucky, very lucky. I think he gets Declan Rice’s right foot – he does. What is he doing? I think he should be off. It’s madness from (Mateo) Kovacic. Pep Guardiola must be thinking about making a substitution. I think that’s a mistake and Kovacic has to go for that.”

The battling midfield contest also saw Jorginho pick up a booking in the opening 45 minutes which produced no goals, though the visitors at the Emirates had the better chances.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya nearly cost his side a goal after waiting to kick the ball long, Julian Alvarez closed the stopper down and blocked his pass but the ball hit the side netting. Then Rice cleared the ball off the line from a corner as Josko Gvardiol was inches away from giving City the lead, who may be thankful that they still have 11 men on the pitch after Kovacic’s pair of fouls.

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