Ex-PGMOL Chief Says Man City Star Should Have Been Sent Off vs ArsenalArsenal and Manchester City players clashFollowLikeLink copied to clipboardAdd us on4By James StroudApr 20, 2026, 10:13 AM GMT+1Manchester City should have been reduced to 10 men in their Premier League clash against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has claimed.City welcomed Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium for a game of epic proportions. Pep Guardiola’s side needed to pick up a win to keep their title aspirations alive, while Arsenal knew all three points would be monumental in their bid to become English champions for the first time since 2005.It was the home side that picked up a vital three points. Rayan Cherki gave City the lead in the 16th minute, only for Kai Havertz to equalise moments after the restart following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s huge error.Erling Haaland restored City’s lead once more in the second half and the Citizens held on to take all three points and ensure the title race was very much alive.Keith Hackett: Abdukodir Khusanov Was Lucky to Escape Red CardManchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov dribbles.Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov during the UEFA Champions League, league phase match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday November 25, 2025. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images/Alamy Images/Sipa USA)There was a controversial moment in the second half when Kai Havertz went to ground when through on goal following a challenge from City defender Khusanov.Anthony Taylor did not believe the contact warranted a foul, though, and waved playing on, leaving Havertz and his Arsenal teammates incensed.Ex-PGMOL chief Hackett has now reviewed the incident, and he believes a foul should have been given and Khusanov shown a red card. He told Football Insider:“An Arsenal player was in an attacking position heading for his opponent’s goal, chased down by a Manchester City defender who used his arm to prevent progress. The result, the Arsenal player feeling contact goes to ground rather easily.“At this point, Anthony Taylor awarded a free-kick and then there is no doubt in my mind that the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity has clearly taken place and that would have resulted in a red card for the Manchester City player.
