Olivier Giroud Talks Marco Verratti, Red Cards After PSG vs. Arsenal Draw

Olivier Giroud has blamed Marco Verratti for escalating the incident that saw both players sent off late in Arsenal’s 1-1 Tuesday draw with Paris Saint-Germain. 

The pair clashed off the ball in stoppage time of the UEFA Champions League clash, with Verratti going to ground twice, the second time after Giroud was pushed into him by PSG defender Marquinhos.

Both were already on yellow cards for earlier offences and so were both given their marching orders following the incident, but Giroud believes he was unfairly treated, per MailOnline’s Tom Bassam:

Being on a yellow card, I didn’t want to make waves. I obstructed Verratti, he threw himself to the ground and I don’t understand. Marquinhos pushed me from behind and I don’t know how Verratti falls a second time. It escalated the situation. It’s frustrating, especially since I don’t know if the referee saw what happened. I was really surprised at his behaviour.

Striker Giroud, 29, will now miss Arsenal’s next Champions League clash—at home to Basel—while 23-year-old midfielder Verratti will be banned for PSG’s trip to face Ludogorets.

Giroud only came on …

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