The reason Jeremy Doku did not receive a yellow card for his action of kicking the ball away during the Manchester City vs. Arsenal match, which ended in a 2-2 draw, remains unclear.
The absence of a yellow card for Jeremy Doku following his action of kicking the ball away during the Manchester City vs. Arsenal match, which ended in a 2-2 draw, has sparked considerable discussion among Arsenal supporters on social media.
While Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card for a similar infraction, Doku’s actions went unpunished.
The Belgian winger was seen nudging the ball away just as Arsenal was preparing to take a free kick in the first half, yet he avoided any disciplinary action.
So, what led to Jeremy Doku not receiving a yellow card in the match against Arsenal, especially in light of Trossard’s sending off? Let’s examine the situation.
The reasoning behind referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to penalize Doku is quite clear to those who observed the incident.
As Arsenal players and fans protested after Doku’s action, Oliver indicated the location where the ball came to rest, stating, “It was there.”
Doku’s intent was to return the ball to the spot of the foul rather than to delay the game, effectively aiding in the quick resumption of play.
In contrast, Trossard’s action involved kicking the ball far from the designated spot well after the whistle had been blown, leaving Oliver with no option but to issue a dismissal to the Arsenal forward just before halftime.
Mikel Arteta is likely to be quite upset with Arsenal’s No. 19, Leandro Trossard.
After receiving a red card, Trossard was seen receiving a hug from Arteta as he made his way towards the tunnel at the Etihad Stadium, but the disappointment from the Spaniard is palpable.
Just weeks prior, Declan Rice faced a second yellow card for a similar infraction, an incident that garnered significant attention and sparked debate over the officiating.
Regardless of the validity of that decision, the scrutiny surrounding it should have prompted Arsenal to exercise greater caution in similar situations.
However, Trossard’s actions suggested a lack of awareness regarding the rules, which is likely to frustrate Arteta.
