The PGMOL chief and former FIFA official responded to the controversial red card issued to Mikel Merino during the match against Liverpool, resulting in a ban for Anthony Taylor.

Exclusive: Merino ‘thinking about his holidays’ with Arsenal red card at Liverpool

Keith Hackett has offered an insight into why Arsenal ace Mikel Merino got himself sent off in his side’s draw with Liverpool.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider a loss of concentration at the end of a long season may have led to the Spaniard making a challenge that led to his second l

Arsenal saw their hopes of winning a trophy this season ended with defeat to PSG in the Champions League semi finals on Wednesday (7 May).

As a result, a trip to Anfield to face the Liverpool side that have beaten them to the Premier League title is probably the last thing the Gunners wanted on Sunday (11 May).



Keith Hackett has reacted to Mikel Merino’s red card at Liverpool

Mikel Merino sent off after scoring equaliser

With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both long-term injury absentees for Arsenal, Merino has often found himself stepping in at centre-forward for Mikel Arteta’s side in recent months.

While doing that Merino has scored some important goals for Arsenal to win him plenty of praise from supporters.

He would repeat the trick again at Anfield, heading in on the rebound to equalise for the visitors, drawing them level at 2-2 after trailing 2-0 at half time.

Mikel Merino vs LiverpoolTotal (SofaScore)Shots on Target2Shots off Target0Big Chances Missed1Accurate Passes20/23Duels Won9/21Fouls3

Less than ten minutes later, Arsenal went down to ten men when Merino was sent off for a second yellow card when he lunged in on Dominik Szoboszlai after losing possession on the edge of his own area.

While that may have soured the satisfaction of his equaliser, Hackett believes the 28-year-old can have no complaints about referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to send him off.

Arsenal rightly reduced to ten men

After being asked by Football Insider what he made of that challenge on Merino by Szoboszlai, the former referee said:

“He’s not left Anthony Taylor much scope to be honest to just give a free kick with that challenge.

“At this time of the season what I used to find was I tried to keep my cards in my pocket, not for the good of the game but I think that you were beginning to see, with certain players a degree of fatiguing.

“Long season, lots of games, I know they’re fit and I know they get rest and all that goes with it but sometimes the concentration goes a little bit.

“They’re thinking about their holidays, it’s end of the season, nothing to play for, all these sort of things can come in and they make a daft challenge.

“I don’t think he’s given Anthony Taylor much room, they ought to know what Taylor’s like and the player’s made a reckless challenge there’s no question so I don’t think Anthony Taylor’s in a position to ignore it.”

Liverpool were then denied a stoppage time winner through Andy Robertson due to a foul on Myles Lewis-Skelly by Ibrahima Konate from a corner, ensuring both sides settled for a point apiece.

That means Arsenal still need two points from their remaining two games of the season to guarantee Champions League football for next season.

They will however now be without Merino through suspension when they take on fellow European hopefuls Newcastle next Sunday (18 May).