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Peter Crouch claims Joel Veltman 'PLAYED the referee', while Martin Keown rues lack of sense in sending off Declan Rice against Brighton for nudging ball away

Peter Crouch and Martin Keown expressed frustration at Declan Rice's controversial red card against Brighton and insisted the Arsenal star's actions are 'not a sending off offence'.

Rice was given his early marching orders in the opening exchanges of the second half after he kicked the ball away following a kick in the leg from Brighton full-back Joel Veltman.

Arsenal fans at the Emirates rose to demand Veltman be sent off for his wild swing at Rice, but it was the Gunners midfielder who found himself being dismissed for a second yellow card.