Arsene Wenger has said that David Luiz’s tackle on Sead Kolasinac used excessive force, after Arsenal drew 0-0 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea defender was shown a straight red card in the 87th minute of the 0-0 draw on Sunday. With him and Kolasinac challenging for a 50-50 ball, Luiz went in high and with his studs showing.

The Brazilian and made contact with Kolasinac in what was a textbook example of a dangerous tackle. Speaking after the game, Arsene Wenger was in little doubt that the tackle deserved a red.

“It was excessive force,” Wenger said, reports the Evening Standard. “Kolasinac was not completely on his feet and eased a bit off. Even Luiz will accept with a bit of distance that he went in too strong.

“After that it’s the decision of the referee, which we have to accept. I haven’t seen it again but it looked to me that it was excessive force.” It was the third red card Chelsea had received against Arsenal in three successive games.

Pedro was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the Community Shield in August, while Victor Moses received a second yellow card after diving in the FA Cup final last May. Unsurprisingly, Chelsea have won none of those games.

Kolasinac was okay after the tackle and was able to see out the game, albeit with a bit of a limp. We’ll find out during the week if he has sustained any damage or if he’s just going to be sore for a few days.

In my opinion, it’s hard to argue over the decision to send off Luiz on Sunday. His tackle was dangerous and could have broken Kolasinac’s leg had it been planted to the ground.