Arsenal star Leandro Trossard given red card verdict after Erling Haaland controversy

Leandro Trossard has been told that he was right to stay on the pitch despite controversially throwing the ball at Bernardo Silva in Arsenal’s draw with Manchester City. The Gunners looked to be on their way to a slender defeat in North London on Sunday.

Erling Haalandhad put City ahead, only for substitute Gabriel Martinelli to seal a share of the points in stoppage time. Fellow sub Trossard was at the heart of a controversial moment, however.

The Belgian wideman threw the ball at City rival Silva after the Portuguese playmaker had done the same to him. However, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believed that no further punishment was required.

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Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It's two players being petulant toward each other. Nothing in it. I think the referee [Stuart Attwell] has done really well."

Former striker Jay Boothroyd added: "I think there's a case for a yellow card. "Bernardo Silva has thrown the ball back and then kind of said sorry.

"Trossard has picked up the ball and thrown it towards his groin area, which is sensitive. "It's definitely not a red but there's an argument for a yellow."

But Gallagher was sure that the official had made the right decision. He replied: "There's also an argument for common sense.

“If he gives a yellow card you'd be jumping up and down saying 'use common sense'. Is it done violently? No. Malice? I don't think so. If I was the ref, I would do exactly the same."

The incident between Trossard and Silva had a striking resemblance to a similar moment betweenGabriel Magalhaes and Erling Haaland last season. After City found the net, the striker picked up the ball from the back of the net and threw it at the head of the Brazilian defender.

Haaland avoided an FA charge for the incident, and then gave a somewhat democratic view when asked about the clash, he said: "It was in the heat of the moment, and a lot of stuff happened in that game.

"Things that happen on the pitch stay there, and that's how it is."

"I don't regret much in life," Haaland added when asked if he regretted the incident. Following their draw at the Emirates, Man City and Arsenal have to wait until April for their rematch at the Etihad Stadium.

But for the time being, both sides will turn their attentions to their Carabao Cup commitments. Man City travel to League One side Huddersfield Town on Wednesday evening, while Arsenal are also scheduled to take on third tier opposition in the form of Port Vale.