“I have never played against such a  dangerously aggressive player before…. He’s the best defender I’ve ever faced in my career”: Man City striker Erling Halaand names ONE Arsenal defender as the best defender in the world

“I have never played against such a dangerously aggressive player before…. He’s the best defender I’ve ever faced in my career”: Man City striker Erling Halaand names ONE Arsenal defender as the best defender in the world

Many Arsenal fans have been complaining on social media after Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away – but Manchester City No.11 Jeremy Doku was not.

The Belgium international could be seen poking the ball away just as Arsenal prepared to take a freekick during the opening 45 minutes, but managed to escape unpunished.

So, how did Jeremy Doku escape a yellow card in Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal before Leandro Trossard‘s dismissal? Let’s take a look…

Why Michael Oliver did not punish Manchester City No.11 Jeremy Doku
The answer is fairly obvious – to those who watched the entire incident play out.

As Arsenal players and fans alike appealed after Doku prodded the ball away, Michael Oliver could be seen pointing to where the ball eventually settled, saying: “It was there.”

The Belgian was simply passing the ball back to where the foul took place, rather than kicking it away and delaying the restart – if anything, he was helping to speed up the restart.

In stark contrast, Trossard decided to boot the ball far, far away from where Manchester City were awarded a freekick, many seconds after the whistle had already been blown – so Oliver had little choice but to dismiss the Arsenal No.19 just before the interval.

Also, In a recent interview, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland stirred up excitement by naming Arsenal’s William Saliba as the best defender in the world. Haaland praised Saliba’s composure, physicality, and exceptional reading of the game, highlighting his ability to not only defend but also contribute to attacking plays.

Haaland noted that Saliba’s maturity and leadership on the pitch make him a pivotal player for Arsenal, especially as they push for success in the league. The Norwegian striker, known for his keen eye for talent, emphasized that facing defenders like Saliba challenges him to elevate his own game.

As Arsenal continues to shine under pressure, it’s clear that Saliba’s presence is a significant factor in their title ambitions. Haaland’s endorsement only adds to the excitement surrounding the young defender’s future in the sport.