Chelsea legend gives Declan Rice furious three-word verdict on controversial Arsenal red card

John Terry has slammed Chris Kavanagh for showing Declan Rice a second yellow card in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton. Joao Pedro levelled proceedings shortly after the 24-year-old midfielder was given his marching orders, taking the wind out of the Gunners’ sails.

Early into the second-half, Rice was, controversially, given a second caution for apparently delaying the restart following a foul on Joel Veltman. Then, on the hour-mark, the Seagulls capitalised on their advantage and netted an equaliser after Kai Havertz had opened the scoring.

The on-field referee’s decision to send off Rice was one of several calls that raised a few eyebrows – ironically, Pedro committed a similar offence earlier in the game, though he went unpunished. After the match, Mikel Arteta and Fabian Hürzeler were quizzed on the incidents .

The Arsenal boss pleaded with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) for consistency, meanwhile, the Seagulls manager shrugged off complaints . Arteta said: “If it [bookings for delaying the restart] happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn’t. It is the inconsistency.”

Then, when asked about an explanation, the Spaniard added: “None, like always. We started the game really well. We scored the goal, 1-0.

We started the second half really good but then there is the decision that changes the game completely. “Speaking on Match of the Day, Hürzeler said: “First of all he shoots the ball away so it is a clear yellow card, it changes the momentum of the game.”

Kavanagh’s decision has largely divided opinion, inviting fans, pundits and former players to have their say; the latest of which to be Terry. On Sunday, Rice broke his silence with a post on Instagram, writing:

“Disappointed. Didn’t feel it deserved a second yellow card but will learn and be better for it. Proud of the boys regardless & thank you for the amazing support Gunners [red heart emoji].”

The post racked up nearly 10,000 comments before the former West Ham captain decided to limit engagement. William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko offered Rice support before Terry chimed in, writing: “Worst decision EVER [angry face emoji.”

It just so happens that Rice – and the Chelsea legend – have every right to be furious with the referee’s performance. In a column for The Sun , Mark Halsey reviewed Kavanagh’s decision.

The former Premier League referee said: “The ball was rolling when Brighton’s Joel Veltman took the free-kick, so the restart would not have taken place as it would have been wrong in Law.

“Therefore, the delaying a restart does not apply. Kavanagh went looking for trouble and he found it. A referee of his calibre at this level should not be sending players off for this. He should have managed the situation better by speaking to both players.”