Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas defended youngster Eddie Nketiah after the striker was given a straight red card in the Gunners’ clash against Leicester City.
Alexandre Lacazette started in place of Nketiah against the Foxes but Mikel Arteta introduced the 21-year-old with 15 minutes to go against Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given the Gunners the lead and Nketiah was sent on to lead the line as Arsenal desperately tried to hold on.
However, Nketiah’s night lasted barely a minute as the striker was sent off for a high tackle on Justin.
Nketiah’s challenge had no malice and he was simply trying to win the ball but the referee’s initial decision of a yellow card was upgraded to a red upon a VAR review.
However, despite cutting his ties with Arsenal in 2011, former Gunners captain Fabregas has nailed his colours to the mast by defending Nketiah.
‘It’s a bad tackle but he doesn’t mean it at all. So unlucky if he gets the red,’ said Fabregas.
‘I don’t like VAR in situations like that. He is trying to win the ball nicely but catches the opponent’s knee by mistake.’
Nketiah’s dismissal allowed Leicester to push forward and Jamie Vardy scored an equaliser in the dying minutes for a share of the points.
Leicester pushed forward for an all-important winner as Rodgers’ side bid for Champions League football but they had to settle for a point.
MORE: John Terry sends message to Kurt Zouma after last-ditch tackle saves Chelsea
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