“Absolute joke”, “Even more ridiculous that VAR can’t intervene” – Fans raise voice against harsh red card for Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu

Fans on Twitter lambasted the red card Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu received during his team's 1-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Monday (August 21).

A Martin Odegaard penalty eight minutes into the second half was the difference between the two teams, but Tomiyasu's sending off was a huge talking point. The Japanese right-back - playing left-back on the night - received a yellow card for delaying a throw-in in the 60th minute.

That itself looked harsh in the first place, as much of the delay was due to the ball coming late from his teammate Kai Havertz. Moreover, with more than 30 minutes left in the game, time-wasting didn't make much sense.

The second yellow, though, was highly contentious, as Tomiyasu was penalised for the slightest of touches on Jordan Ayew far away from the penalty area. The Japanese defender's 67th-minute dismissal - Arsenal's first in the Premier League since the 2021-22 season - energised Palace.

The Gunners, though, held firm, especially in the final five minutes, when Palace carved out six chances. Mikel Arteta and Co. eventually emerged unscathed to go joint-top after two games, trailing surprise leaders Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City on goal difference.

Tomiyasu's red card, unsurprisingly, drew a plethora of angry reactions from fans, who were aghast that VAR didn't intervene and that the second yellow was too soft. One tweeted:

"Tomiyasu sent off for an identical challenge to the one Ayew made on Saka whilst also on a booking, absolute joke."

An account named "Has the Referee or VAR made a poor decision?" chimed in:

"Yes, that should not have been a second yellow for Tomiyasu. And it's even more ridiculous that VAR can't intervene in these calls."

Here are the top Twitter reactions:

The Gunners beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in their Premier League opener a week earlier.

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"I am so happy the team responded in a positive way to win the game" - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was a pleased man after the game, as his side showed enough spirit and fight with a man down to eke out a win.

The Spaniard was understandably happy at the reaction from his team to the Tomiyasu sending off as the Gunners look to end their 20-year Premier League drought.

“I love to win like this… the way we played in the first half against a team that is so difficult… we dominated but conceded nothing… even with ten men we didn’t concede… I am so happy the team responded in a positive way to win the game… it shows how much we want it,” said Arteta.

The Gunners' next league assignment is a home game against Fulham on Saturday (August 26) before a trip to Old Trafford eight days later to play Manchester United.