The England international, who had already been booked in the first half for a foul, was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for allegedly delaying a free-kick that Brighton’s Joel Veltman was trying to take deep in their own half.
This decision sparked significant controversy among pundits and Arsenal fans, many of whom argued that the punishment was excessive.
They contended that the ball was still moving when Rice made minimal contact, and the context of the match did not warrant such a harsh call.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment but stopped short of directly challenging the referee’s decision.
He did, however, call for consistency, pointing out that Brighton’s goalscorer, Joao Pedro, was not punished for a similar act of kicking the ball away earlier in the game.
Reflecting on the incident, Rice shared his thoughts after the match: “I think you could see in my face that I was shocked. The referee made his decision… I didn’t sprint back in front of him or smash the ball away.
I just touched the ball with the outside of my foot.” Rice acknowledged that, according to the laws of the game, even a slight touch can be penalized with a red card, particularly given his earlier booking for what he admitted was a 50-50 challenge in the first half.
Rice further elaborated on the incident, stating: “But the second one, especially considering it was near the corner flag where they couldn’t really advance from, felt tough and harsh. It’s one of those things.
I need to move on, learn from it, and become better for it.” He praised his teammates for their efforts, commended Arteta for keeping the team motivated, and expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support during the match.
Rice’s suspension adds to Arsenal’s challenges as they face a crucial match against local rivals Tottenham after the international break.
Compounding their midfield concerns, new signing Mikel Merino is also sidelined with an injury, leaving Arteta with significant decisions to make regarding the team’s lineup.
Despite the setback, Rice remained positive, saying, “We’ll keep pushing forward. I know it’s tough, not just for me but for everyone. We have a challenging run of games after the international break, but we’ll be ready.”
He emphasized his commitment to learning from the experience, acknowledging the guilt that comes with being sent off, but also appreciating his teammates’ resilience in managing to secure a point despite his absence.
Rice concluded on a hopeful note, promising, “I’ll definitely be back. I believe in this group of players, myself included, and I know we are all striving towards the same goal—to be successful.”
He reiterated his determination to improve, expressing confidence in the squad’s ability to overcome this setback and continue their pursuit of success this season.
