Calum Chambers’ Red Card Cripples Arsenal’s Defense for Newcastle Clash

Let’s get one thing out of the way first. Calum Chambers did not deserve a red card. No matter how you spin it, now matter what angle you take, no matter who you ask, that second yellow card was not a yellow card. Arsene Wenger had a few choice words to say about the card, and I agree with him in every sense.

Here’s what he had to say as reported by the Telegraph:

"“The referee did not know what he had seen for the second yellow card. It was a bad decision. If Chambers had to go off today I can watch the game with you again and find five other players [who should have been sent off].“Watch what happened on the pitch, I don’t think Chambers deserved to be sent off compared to some other people who put arms and elbows in faces.”"

The referee was inconsistent all match. He wasn’t biased towards one team or the other, which is a plus, but he was so unbearably inconsistent. Chambers barely even made contact for his second foul, whereas Welbeck was tripped up in a tangle of legs that earned Flamini a penalty and nothing was done.

Each referee calls games according to their own style, and Anthony Taylor rarely shows red. However, something possessed him to let his oft-concealed iron fist down on the 19-year old right back and now Arsenal find themselves in quite the conundrum.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

Chambers has been an absolute stud for Arsenal, and one of the few bright spots this season. He may be rash at times and quick to pick a fight (a la Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Falmini) but that kind of spark is needed at times. His versatility makes him invaluable and his youth makes him even more so.

Then you get calls like this that keep him out of crucial match ups like the upcoming weekend showdown with Newcastle and you just have to shake your head.

This leaves Arsenal without a right back. Unless Nacho Monreal or Kieran Gibbs can completely switch sides, that leaves either Flamini or Hector Bellerin to fill in, leaving the right side ever-so-slightly exposed.

Of all the red cards Chambers could have earned this year from recklessness, this was not one that he deserved.

Follow Pain in the Arsenal on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.