Mikel Arteta and Bukayo Saka could not hide their frustration after watching Joao Pedro escape punishment for kicking the ball away.
The Brighton star chased after the ball 18 minutes into the first half of their 1-1 draw but couldn’t stop it going out of play in front of the Arsenal dugout.
In his frustration the Brazil booted the ball away, leading to Arteta and Saka waving their hands in protest.
While an isolated incident at the time, Pedro’s conduct came into much sharper focus following Declan Rice’s sending off.
Having already been booked for a late tackle in the first-half, the Gunners star appeared to kick the ball away during a altercation with Joel Veltman.
Veltman then tried to take a quick free-kick but caught Rice with his follow-through, leading the Arsenal man to hit the deck.
But while fans at the Emirates Stadium expected the Brighton man to be punished, it was Rice was sent off for delaying the restart.
Those of an Arsenal persuasion were left furious by the decision, particularly given what Pedro and Brighton had got away with earlier in the half.
Asked if he’d had an explanation for Rice’s red card, Arteta said: “No explanation, like always.”
He continued: “If it [a yellow for delaying restart] happens throughout the game in a consistent way, then it’s fine.
“But it didn’t happen. In the first half, there were a number of occasions where they kicked the ball away and nothing happened.
“So it’s inconsistency, especially as well because he’s in an area that is not critical.
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“And on top of that, you made the call, you have to give a red card as well.
“We had to play with 10, so they should have to play with 10 because then it’s a red card on Veltman.”
Saka entered those sentiments and slammed the lack of consistency from referee Chris Kavanagh as the video of Pedro kicking the ball away went viral.
“We just want some consistency. Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it.
“Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off.”
The sending off overshadowed the Premier League clash in north London after Kai Havertz had given Arsenal the lead.
That goal was canceled out by Pedro who drew the game level in the second half to deny Arsenal all three points.
