Arsenal news: Expert calls for law change as Martinelli footage emerges
Kevin Phillips has called for “the letter of the law” to change after Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli was sent off for two yellows in the same passage of play.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Premier League striker and current manager of South Shields called for “common sense to prevail” in such situations.
Martinelli was sent off following two yellow card incidents in a matter of seconds at Molineux on Thursday.
As quoted by Sky Sports after the win (11 February), Mikel Arteta fumed over the decision and demanded an explanation.
Arteta added that he’d “never seen anything like it” in football before.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the sending off, Phillips said: “To the letter of the law, it is right.
“However, I think common sense has to prevail in those situation. We need to get the balance right.
“The ref has done what he thinks is right but sometimes you have to use common sense. It frustrates me even more now as a manager. Having a player sent off for something like that… It can ruin a game.
“Until the letter of the law and the rules change it will always be the same. They should have a re-think in my opinion.”
Martinelli will miss the visit of Brentford to the Emirates next Saturday as a result of the red card.
The Brazilian forward has contributed four goals and three assists in 22 appearances this season.
In other news, a pundit has tipped an Arsenal star to copy Jack Grealish move after Sky reveal.