Ray Parlour reacts to ‘absolute joke’ decision to send Declan Rice off during Arsenal v Brighton

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Declan Rice was shown a controversial red card during Arsenal v Brighton today and Ray Parlour has fumed at the decision.

Arsenal were winning 1-0 when a small altercation between Rice and Brighton defender Joel Veltman got a tiny bit out of hand.

Rice then tapped the ball away from Veltman to stop him taking the free-kick, before Veltman’s follow through ensured he smashed Rice on the shin.

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However, referee Chris Kavanagh decided that Rice was obstructing play and delaying a decision and served up a yellow card for Rice which was enough to see him sent off.

And after Ally McCoist admitted he was stunned by the decision to send Rice off, former Arsenal man Ray Parlour has offered up his take on proceedings.

Ray Parlour brands Declan Rice red card a ‘disgrace’

Taking to social media platform X to show his dismay at the decision, the popular pundit and former Gunner Parlour branded the call from the refs a disgrace.

Arsenal fans fuming but Rice red technically correct

Arsenal fans and former players will complain and moan about this decision and while there are grounds for those complaints, the decision is right.

Sure, Chris Kavanagh might look back and think he could have handled it differently and the calls for consistency are also a fair shout from the Gunners.

However, by the laws of the game, this is a second yellow and was simply petulant from Rice when he was already on a card.

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Now, Rice will miss a big game against Tottenham and that, over the season, could end up being absolutely crucial in the title race.

These small moments over a campaign add up and we’ve seen in the past how Arsenal have some issues with discipline over 38 games.

Now, just a few matches in, we’re already having those conversations.