Gary Lineker thinks Arsenal have referee to thank as Theo Walcott makes feelings clear

Gary Lineker and Theo Walcott agreed that Arsenal should have gone down to 10 men in their thrilling 4-2 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday

Gary Lineker and Theo Walcott agreed that Riccardo Calafiori should have been sent off in Arsenal's 4-2 win over Leicester City.

Mikel Arteta's side avoided a calamitous meltdown in the Saturday's clash at home, having given up a 2-0 lead with unlikely scorer James Justin bagging a second half brace for the visitors.

The home side did, however, eventually claim the three points with Leandro Trossard's stoppage-time effort deflecting off Wilfred Ndidi to put Arsenal 3-2 up with minutes left in the game.

The Gunners then grabbed an even later fourth through Kai Havertz but the game could have played out very differently if Calafiori was handed a second yellow card late in the second half by referee Sam Barrott after fouling Facundo Buonanotte.

It was in fact the on-loan Foxes forward that was shown a booking after gesturing to the official that the Italy international should have been giving his marching orders.

Discussing the incident on Match of the Day, Lineker had sympathy for Leicester boss Steve Cooper as he said: "He thought Calafiori should've had another yellow card. I find it difficult to disagree with him."

Despite his Arsenal connections, Walcott concurred with the MOTD host and admitted: "I agree, I thought it was very lucky, it was cynical."

Micah Richards also chimed in and made it a unanimous consensus in the studio that Arsenal's summer signing deserved a second yellow card.

"Last week Trossard [in Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Man City]... I didn't think it was a yellow card for kicking the ball away. Today, with Calafiori, I think that's a second yellow card. I think he was lucky to stay on the pitch."

Lineker then made the point that the score was 2-2 at the time and joked that Leicester "would've obviously then gone on to win 3-2" if the defender had been sent off.

Cooper - who is in his first season as Leicester boss - is still waiting to find his first Premier League win for the club and complained after the game about Calafiori's escape of a red card.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Get the new Arsenal shirt for 2024/2025

The new Arsenal shirt for next season is now on sale
Ranging from £55-£110

The new shirt has returned the Gunners to their roots placing a stripped-down, elegant-looking canon right over the heart of the new shirt. Shirt manufacturers Adidas have produced a "clean and minimal" and the design "embraces modernity, while honouring Arsenal’s rich heritage.

Adidas
Buy it now

He also lamented the hosts' first goal, claiming that Jamie Vardy was fouled by William Saliba in the lead-up to Gabriel Martinelli's opener.

"It’s a clear foul on Jamie Vardy for the first [Arsenal] goal and the left-back has to get sent off for a second yellow," the ex-Nottingham Forest boss said. "There’s so much more we could say. The whole game knows, but I’m not going down that road today. We were very disappointed with a foul not being given on Vards for the first goal."

Arsenal's last-gasp victory saw them move up to third, level on points with Manchester City following their 1-1 stalemate at Newcastle.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.