Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta admits
that John Obi Mikel could have been
shown a red card for a challenge on him
in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea.
The pair went head-to-head for the ball
with studs showing during the first half
of the Monday Night Football clash at
the Emirates, but referee Mike Dean
allowed play to continue and neither
player was cautioned. Replays suggested
that Arteta came off worse in the tackle
due to the timing of Mikel’s lunge, and
he believes that the Chelsea midfielder
got away lightly with the challenge.
“On that moment I think that he caught
me high – I’ve got a big swollen ankle,”
Arteta told Sky Sports.
“I think that he got late on the ball. You
ask me if it is intentional or not – I
believe that is why the referee didn’t
give him a red card.”
Arteta did admit that both players were
committed to the challenge, but thinks
that the way in which Mikel flew in was
more dangerous than his attempt to win
the ball.
“I was not facing him and he points his
studs towards me,” he said. “I think it is
a different challenge.
“We were both going for the ball and
that is what I am saying, I think
probably the referee thought it was not
intentional.
“I cannot judge what Obi was trying to
do, I think he challenged the ball but
sometimes you are late and if you are
late with your studs up you know what
happens.”


http://www.punchng.com/sports/mikel-deserved-a-red-card-arteta-insists/

Ok