Mikel Merino should have been sent off during Arsenal's win over Aston VillaThe Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel have determined that Mikel Merino ought to have been dismissed during Arsenal's commanding 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on December 30. With the Gunners leading 2-0, Merino hauled back Morgan Rogers in the 58th minute, but official Darren England opted against showing the Spanish midfielder a second yellow card. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTAsked whether a player's existing booking influences the referee's thinking, Halsey responded: "Not every challenge is a [yellow card emoji]. "Referee's will judge challenge's on its merits, IMO [in my opinion] there are far too many [yellow card emoji] shown unnecessarily referee's have lost the art of managing these players. The midfielder escaped punishment for a foul on Villa striker Ollie Watkins"The holding offence by Merino was a nailed on 2nd [yellow card emoji]."

Source: Express January 13, 2026 17:15 UTC