Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta booked after demanding yellow card for Man City star Rodri
Mikel Arteta was shown a yellow card after demanding Rodri get booked for a challenge on Kai Havertz in the Community Shield.
There have been some slight tweaks to the rules where referees will be more strict on time-wasting.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was booked for such an infringement earlier in the contest so when Manchester City's Rodri fouled Havertz, the north Londoners were incensed that he did not go into the ref's book.
That included Gunners coach Arteta, who after the foul gestured for Stuart Attwell to book the player by brandishing an imaginary card on the touchline.
It saw Attwell trot over and show him a real one — booking the Spaniard for his over-exuberance.
Partey had been booked earlier in the contest for tripping up Julian Alvarez. However, the Ghana international kicked the ball away, wasting a few seconds — something referees have been told to be extra-militant about. The midfielder, though he was not the last player to be booked.
While Rodri escaped a yellow card, Alvarez was booked for a similar offence to Partey after kicking the ball away when given offside.
As well as coming down harder on time-wasting players, extra minutes are set to be awarded at the end of halves — akin to how the World Cup in Qatar played out.
It could see some drastic changes to upcoming Premier League games, already exhibited in the Championship and below.
The season got underway across the Football League while the Premier League will return next week.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz has also been booked and could have had two goals on his competitive debut for the Gunners with two excellent chances.
The Germany international is deputising up front for the injured Gabriel Jesus while Erling Haaland has looked quiet on the opposite
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