Arsenal Twitter Reacts: Mateo Kovacic controversially avoids first-half red card

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Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic can count himself a lucky man after avoiding a red card in the first-half against Arsenal on Sunday

How did Kovacic escape second yellow with challenge on Declan Rice?

The Croatian was arguably fortunate to have only received a yellow card for his first challenge on Martin Odegaard, sliding through the back of the Norwegian with his studs showing.

VAR did review the incident for a possible red card, but it was recommended to referee Michael Oliver that the call should stand – marking another unwanted controversy for PGMOL.

Just a few minutes later, Kovacic performed a similar tackle on Declan Rice but no card was shown and somehow the 29-year-old escaped an early bath.

The pundits in the Sky Sports studio couldn’t believe their eyes, with former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott stating:

“As soon as it went to VAR, I thought red card. It’s a nasty challenge. For me, it’s a red. It’s genuinely endangering the player.”

Even ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards also believed Kovacic should’ve been dismissed.

“I believe Kovačić should have seen red. The Rice challenge is definitely a second yellow.”

Arsenal fans react on Twitter

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