Martin Odegaard believes Takehiro Tomiyasu’s red card in Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace was ‘harsh’
Arsenal edged Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Monday night, with Martin Odegaard’s spot-kick proving to be the winning goal. However, with just over 20 minutes to go, Takehiro Tomiyasu was shown a second yellow card for a soft tug on Jordan Ayew and given his marching orders.
But it was the first yellow that became the main talking point, with the Japan defender booked after he, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli collectively took over 23 seconds to take a throw-in – one of many time-wasting schemes Arsenal employed throughout the match.
Officials this season have been asked to take a much stricter view on time-wasting this season, a move that appears to have divided the football world. Mikel Arteta was incensed by the referee’s decision, though Odegaard had a calmer response, saying: ‘I don’t know if it’s difficult but it’s new rules so we have to adapt.
Odegaard’s Response to Tomiyasu’s Red Card
‘The first yellow card was harsh, I don’t think he [Tomiyasu] was trying to take a lot of time, he just didn’t have anyone to play to. It’s a bit tricky but we have to adapt. That’s the reality, we can’t do anything else. It’s easier to get yellow cards now so you have to be careful and that goes for me as well. It’s something to have in mind but I don’t think we should think too much about the rules. We should stay focused on the game.’
Arsenal’s Perfect Start
Arsenal are one of just three teams to have won their two opening games, alongside Brighton and Manchester City, the perfect start as they look to end their wait for a league title after falling short last season.
‘The start of the season is always tricky, it takes a bit of time before everyone finds their rhythm and their top form,’ Odegaard added. ‘So, it’s crucial to still get the three points and build on it from there. I’m very happy to win and I’m sure we’ll get better and better with every game. It was difficult, we had to dig deep and fight for it. When you come here you have to be able to suffer and we knew that before the game. We did that brilliantly and we deserved the three points.’
Conclusion
Martin Odegaard believes Takehiro Tomiyasu’s red card in Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace was ‘harsh’, though he also recognised that he and his teammates need to be ‘careful’ going forward and ‘adapt’ to the new rules regarding time-wasting.
Arsenal are one of just three teams to have won their two opening games, alongside Brighton and Manchester City, the perfect start as they look to end their wait for a league title after falling short last season.
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