Arsenal academy graduate Eddie Nketiah didn’t have a happy night on Tuesday as Arsenal took on high-flying Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners had to settle for a point against the Foxes as Jamie Vardy scored an 84th-minute equaliser after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first-half opener.
Nketiah was brought on as a substitute in the second half but was shown red after just three minutes on the pitch after a reckless challenge on Leicester full-back James Justin.
While the striker didn’t mean to hurt the defender, after consultation with VAR and taking a look at the pitchside monitor, referee Chris Kavanagh decided to brand the red card.
Nketiah himself has previously talked about Arteta’s instructions to make things hard for the opposition through hard work.
And that paid off with the striker’s opening goal against Southampton after he closed down goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
After that game, Nketiah outlined Arteta’s request.
"That’s just the way I play. I always try to be a nuisance and chase for the team, try to run in behind," he said.
"The team worked hard together and we were unlucky not to score a few more goals with other chances."
Throughout the game against the Saints, Arteta was heard encouraging the striker to press and put pressure on the opposition.
It has been suggested that Arteta’s instructions to Nketiah were similar when he entered the pitch against Leicester, leading to the challenge that saw him sent off.
Arsenal have since reportedly appealed the red card, hoping to see the striker’s three-match ban abolished.
