Bukayo Saka doesn't feel the officiating was consistent in Saturday's 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Brighton, with Declan Rice shown a second yellow card in a second-half incident that proved massively influential on the match.
Rice appeared to nudge the ball away as Joël Veltman attempted to take a quick free kick, resulting in the Brighton defender striking the Arsenal midfielder with his right foot. It initially seemed as though Veltman would be disciplined for the contact, but after Rice had made his way back to his feet he was cautioned by the referee. It was Rice's second yellow card of the match, leading to the first ejection of his career.
Brighton were noticeably improved for the remainder of the game with Arsenal's midfield fulcrum off the pitch, and in the 58th minute João Pedro scored the equaliser that ultimately made the teams split the points.
That it was João Pedro who scored the leveller was the cause for some consternation for Saka after the Brighton attacker suffered no repercussions for booting the ball downfield in the first half after it had crossed the sideline, delaying Arsenal's ability to take a quick throw-in.
"I thought it was a bit harsh for us," Saka told BBC Match of the Day of Rice's sending off. "We just want some consistency. João Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off."
Saka was quick to point out that Arsenal still had the opportunity to win the match after going down to 10 men but didn't take their chances, putting an early damper on what's expected to be another hotly contested Premier League title race with four-time defending champions Manchester City.
"It is what it is, I don't want to put the whole game on the referee as we still had chances to win it," he said.
"It has been a good start. Today is a disappointment but it is a long season."
Live on DAZN: X Series 017 on August 31. Click here for details.