Noni Madueke has said that Alexis Mac Allister tried to “bait” him into getting a red card during Arsenal‘s 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
The Argentine midfielder went to ground while he and Madueke were face-to-face in the 79th minute of the match and Madueke was not punished.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Madueke said that he didn’t think there was “anything” in the incident.
“To be honest, I don’t think it’s anything — a yellow card or a red card. The referee didn’t think that, VAR [Video Assistant Referee] didn’t think that, so we all agreed there,” the Arsenal forward said.
“It’s a natural movement and he’s obviously clever, he tried to bait me into getting a red card there but obviously no. In my head, I was thinking it’s possible [to be sent off] with VAR, with whoever interprets it — I don’t know what they’re thinking… But thankfully it wasn’t.”
The Gunners claimed victory at Anfield for the first time in 14 years as Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game.
Mac Allister was criticised by Jamie Carragher for his role in the incident between himself and Madueke.
On Sky Sports, Carragher said: “I am delighted [Madueke] never got sent off there. “We have got to be strong in calling people out and saying ‘this is embarrassing.’
“It has got to stop, it’s ridiculous. I can’t stand it.
“If someone puts their head back then butts, of course it’s a red card. But this stuff about a head-to-head, and if someone touches the other one goes down and it’s a red card?
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“As a game, as football, people in the Premier League and supporters [must] call your own people out for it.
“I am a Liverpool fan and that’s a joke from Mac Allister. It’s got to stop.
“People are trying to game the system because they know that they can. Red cards are being given for it.
“Whether it’s from Howard Webb, the Premier League, the managers — stop getting red cards for this.”
