Richard Keys makes Declan Rice claim that will anger Arsenal fans after his red card vs Brighton

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Arsenal star Declan Rice received the first red card of his career against Brighton And Hove Albion.

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw by the Seagulls in a game in which they seemed to be in complete control at half-time.

However, just four minutes after the break, Rice was given his second yellow card of the game after referee Chris Kavanagh believed he was delaying a restart.

Almost every pundit covering the game was shocked by the decision, but Richard Keys feels differently.

Richard Keys says ‘daft’ Arsenal star Declan Rice deserved red card

Kavanagh has come under a lot of fire for his decision to send Rice off at the Emirates.

The referee seemed to lack control from very early in the game. Arsenal had a number of decisions go against them and that irked all the home fans in the stadium.

Arsenal taking the lead calmed things down, but the decision to give Rice a red card for something that happens multiple times every game made supporters furious.

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour branded the decision to give Rice a red card an ‘absolute joke’, while the likes of Martin Keown, Ally McCoist and Peter Crouch weren’t in agreement with the sending-off either.

Arteta, as you can imagine, was furious too, but there is one man who thinks the referee made the right call today – Keys.

The presenter has branded Rice as ‘daft’ for what he did and claimed that he deserved to be sent off. We’re sure this assessment will anger Arsenal supporters.

Keys tweeted: “Agree that Joao Pedro should’ve been booked but Rice can’t have any complaints. He was daft. He intentionally stopped the game being re-started. That’s a booking. He had to go.”

READ MORE: Ally McCoist reacts live on air to Declan Rice red card during Arsenal v Brighton

Arsenal have a huge problem now

Arsenal would’ve probably won the game if Rice hadn’t been sent off, but they have to take the point and move on now.

However, the consequence of the referee’s decision is not over.

Rice will now be suspended for Arsenal’s North London Derby clash against Tottenham Hotspur right after the international break, and that is a huge blow for the Gunners.

It remains to be seen how Arteta will replace Rice, but losing him could cause a big problem now in what will be a very difficult game.

However, Saka has issued a confident response about Arsenal vs Tottenham despite Rice’s red card.