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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists David Luiz was 'unlucky' to get sent off by referee Michael Oliver
Antonio Conte blamed referee Michael Oliver for missing what he thought was a clear foul on David Luiz before his defender’s dismissal and pointed to “luck” in explaining Chelsea’s worsening disciplinary record.
Luiz became the fifth Chelsea player in eight matches to be sent off – including three reds in a row against Arsenal – but Conte, who had reacted furiously on the touchline to the Luiz decision, was reluctant to admit that there was any wider problem. Chelsea will now be without Luiz for matches against Nottingham Forest, Stoke City and, most crucially of all, Manchester City following what was a straight red for a high studs challenge on Sead Kolasinac.
“Do you think we are becoming bad?” asked Conte. “For sure, it's strange. A strange situation. I think it can happen, this type of period, if you are not so lucky. We'll try to pay more attention in the future.
“I hope, also, to be more lucky with the refereeing decisions. For us, and also for the opponents. Sometimes the opponents deserve a red card but, instead, they carry on playing with 11 men. We have to improve in all situations - tactical and physical. We need to try and improve this situation. Also, you have to be more lucky in the future.”
Of the specific challenge on Kolasinac, Conte made a repeated reference to Alexis Sánchez and Luiz tangled immediately before the incident. “It is very important to see what happened before the David Luiz tackle,” said Conte. “For sure, that was a foul. If he stopped the play before, it wouldn't matter. The player was fouled in a continuing way; he continued to push him.”
Chelsea could theoretically appeal the decision, although Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger felt that the decision was correct and Kolasinac’s adjustment had prevented any serious injury.
“It was excessive force, yes,” he said. “Kolasinac was not completely on his feet. Even Luiz would accept there was a big distance and he went in too strong. After that, it's the decision of the referee. It looked to me like excessive force.” The Football Association definition of excessive force is when a player, “exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off”.
Despite the late loss of Luiz, Conte had been satisfied with a performance that lifts Chelsea up to third in the Premier League table. “It was a good draw,” he said. “Sometimes you forget Arsenal are one of the top six in England. Arsenal are a really good team, a strong team. They have a lot all over the field.”
Eden Hazard almost won the game for Chelsea after coming on as a second-half substitute and is now likely to start in the League Cup on Wednesday against Nottingham Forest. Conte is also awaiting a fitness update on Pedro. “The last 20 minutes, Hazard played very well,” he said. “Now, on Wednesday, he will have the possibility to start the game against Nottingham Forest and complete his recovery.”