John Obi should have been red carded – Arteta

John Obi should have been red carded – Arteta

Arsenal’s midfielder, Mikel Arteta has voiced his opinion about the extent of his opposite’s, John Mikel Obi tackle in a seeming dangerous contest for the ball in the London derby on Monday night.

"On that moment I think that he caught me high - I've got a big swollen ankle.

"I think that he got late on the ball.

"You ask me if it is intentional or not - I believe that is why the referee didn't give him a red card.

"I was not facing him and he points his studs towards me.

"I think it is a different challenge.

"We were both going for the ball and that is what I am saying, I think probably the referee thought it was not intentional.

"I cannot judge what Obi was trying to do, I think he challenged the ball but sometimes you are late and if you are late with your studs up you know what happens."

Refree Mike Dean had allowed the play continue with both players not cautioned.

Mikel Obi was not facing Arteta with quite a high place of the studs resulting to a swollen ankle of the Spanish player