David Luiz should have been sent off twice in Chelsea stalemate with Arsenal, says Graeme Souness as he brands 'leg-breaker' tackle on Sead Kolasinac a 'red card plus'

David Luiz will serve a three-match ban for the red card issued in Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Arsenal but Graeme Souness thinks the defender got off lightly.

The Blues centre back was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver for a reckless challenge on Sead Kolasinac late on.

Souness described the challenge as a 'red card plus' and also claimed Luiz should have been sent off earlier in the second half for another count of dangerous play.

David Luiz was shown a red card by Michael Oliver for his foul on Sead Kolasinac

David Luiz became the fourth Chelsea player to be shown a red card this season on Sunday

The centre-back was accused of making an 'atrocious' tackle by former coach Ray Wilkins

The centre back was sent off for a reckless tackle on Arsenal's Sead Kolasinac in a 0-0 draw

Luiz was shown a yellow card on 52 minutes after he attempted to score with an overhead kick but instead caught Laurent Koscielny in the face.


Sadio Mane was sent off for dangerous play without malicious intent in Liverpool's 5-0 loss at Manchester City last week and Souness believes Luiz was similarly guilty.

‘I’m struggling to understand why this would be seen differently to Mane’s one,' Souness said during Sky Sports' live coverage.

'He's going for the ball, he's endangering an opposition player and I think that’s a red.’

Sky presenter David Jones defended the decision, saying: 'I suppose the officials would say "an overhead kick means you're not aware of the people that are behind you".'

Wilkins says Luiz was scared of going into a challenge with the imposing Arsenal star

After the match, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness called the challenge a 'red card plus'

Souness also said that Luiz should have been sent off earlier in the game for another incident

Souness also said that Luiz should have been sent off earlier in the game for another incident

But Souness continued: 'I think the fact that he's in the six-yard box means he's aware that he's going to be around bodies.

'I think if you're raising your foot up there, whether it's an overhead kick or not, it's going to risk a red card. I think that's a red card.'

Thierry Henry added: 'I think if we go based on what the discussion was the other day with Mane then I understand what Graeme is saying.'

Although he was non-committal on the incident which saw Luiz pick up his first booking, Henry was in no doubt that a straight red was the correct call for the foul on Kolasinac.

Luiz went in on the Gunners defender with a reckless studs-up tackle after dribbling out from the back while under pressure from Alexis Sanchez.

Luiz was given a yellow on 52 minutes after an overhead kick caught Laurent Koscielny's face

Luiz was given a yellow on 52 minutes after an overhead kick caught Laurent Koscielny's face

But Souness thinks it was a red card offence, like Sadio Mane's foul on Ederson last weekend

But Souness thinks it was a red card offence, like Sadio Mane's foul on Ederson last weekend

Henry said: 'He wanted to be clever and he got caught. He could have passed to the goalkeeper but he invites pressure because he loves to play.

'And then he's upset with Sanchez who is trying to barge him out of the way, so he forgets to play football and, because he's upset with Sanchez, he gets his frustration out on Kolasinac and it's a red, no doubt.'

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was typically expressive on the touchline and displayed his disgust at Oliver's decision to show a straight red.

But Souness is adamant that the decision was correct.

'I'm struggling to understand what the manager's on about. Conte heads to the touchline waving an imaginary card (presumably for Sanchez), for who?

'This is just reckless. The game's 0-0, he's frustrated, he's not had a good day and he's gone "here, have some of that".

'That is a leg-breaker. That's a red card plus.'