Arsenal picked up just a point against Leicester as they struggled to hold onto their 1-0 lead after Eddie Nketiah was sent off, but why did Jamie Vardy get away with kicking Mustafi in the head?

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal leaves the pitch following being shown a red card after a VAR decision during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal leaves the pitch following being shown a red card after a VAR decision during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Nketiah’s challenge was not good. I have no complaints with the red card that was shown, even if it did take the VAR operator on the night had extraordinary length of time to reach what really wasn’t a difficult decision and then send it to the referee for review anyway.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Match Referee, Chris Kavanagh checks a VAR decision on screen ahead of showing Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal (not pictured) a red card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Match Referee, Chris Kavanagh checks a VAR decision on screen ahead of showing Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal (not pictured) a red card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020 in London. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

All season I’ve complained about similar, and worse, tackles against us going unpunished.

I’ve highlighted how Arsenal pick up yellows for fewer fouls than other sides (on average Arsenal need just three, their opponents round 9).

On Tuesday night, Leicester committed 14 fouls but didn’t receive a single yellow.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Not even when Jamie Vardy kicked Shkodran Mustafi in the head after having a look to see where his head was to ensure he made contact.

This didn’t go to VAR and, when asked about Nketiah after the game, Mikel Arteta brought it up.

“What I’m saying is that if we review incidents of that type, it will be the norm,” Arteta said. “It has to be something equal for everyone because it changes the game completely and if Eddie’s is a red card, then for sure the other one is a red card.”

jamie vardy mustfi by kevin quigley
via Kevin Quigley NMC Pool

He’s right. And that’s the problem – it’s just not equal or consistent.

Arsenal now have five red cards for the season, more than any other side. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least five reds against us that weren’t given, and I haven’t even had my coffee yet.

I’m not asking for special treatment. Just equal.

Is that really too much?

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news