Chelsea's David Luiz guilty of 'excessive force' in red card foul on Sead Kolasinac, says Arsene Wenger

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James Benge17 September 2017

David Luiz can have no complaints after a display of “excessive force” earned him a red card for his tackle on Sead Kolasinac, according to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Luiz saw red in the 87th minute of Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge and is set to miss the Blues’ next three games, a run that includes the visit of unbeaten Manchester City on September 30.

Kolasinac required treatment after the thumping challenge, a wild lunge that saw Luiz connect with the Bosnia international’s standing foot.

Wenger was in no doubt that referee Michael Oliver was right to hand Luiz, who had been fortunate to avoid an earlier sending off when his high boot connected with Laurent Koscielny’s head, his marching orders.

“It was excessive force,” Wenger said. “Kolasinac was not completely on his feet and eased a bit off. Even Luiz will accept with a bit of distance that he went in too strong.

“After that it’s the decision of the referee, which we have to accept. I haven’t seen it again but it looked to me that it was excessive force.”

Photo: Sky Sports
Sky Sports

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was more circumspect in his assessment of Luiz’s tackle, refusing to comment on Oliver’s decision and declining to say whether the Blues would lodge an appeal.

Conte did however point to a tussle between Alexis Sanchez and Luiz earlier in the passage of play, saying that the Chilean had fouled his opponent “for sure”.