Leandro Trossard gives Arsenal red card 'excuse' after Man City complaint

Leandro Trossard explained to his teammates that he didn't hear the whistle prior to being sent off in the heated encounter with Manchester City, according to reports.

Trossard received a second yellow card in the tumultuous battle at Etihad Stadium after referee Michael Oliver deemed the Arsenal winger had delayed play. However, Trossard insisted in the dressing room that his intention was to pass the ball, claiming he hadn't heard the call to give a foul and had communicated this to the referee, but was still given his marching orders.

This incident is just one among many grievances unfolding from the pivotal title clash. Players from Manchester City have levelled accusations at Arsenal for allegedly employing 'dark arts' such as time-wasting - claims contradicted by Opta statistics.

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Indeed, the data shows that the ball was actively in play for 63 minutes and 29 seconds, making it the fifth-longest duration for any Premier League match of the season. The substantial allotment of extra time has therefore raised eyebrows, with eight minutes added on at the end of the first half and nine in the second.

Originally, fourth official Andy Madley had indicated six minutes of additional time, which was extended by another minute following treatment for an Arsenal player, reports the Mirror.

Arsenal's gruelling schedule might offer some context for the cramps suffered by several players during the game; having faced Atalanta on Thursday night, the team returned home at 4 am and then had to prepare for their fixture against City