Mikel Arteta admits stopwatch may be needed to iron out inconsistencies in time-wasting

Arteta did not agree when told Tomiyasu had waited 23 seconds to take the throw-in before being cautioned.

Arsenal found another win to make it two out of two. Mikel Arteta believes a stopwatch may be needed to iron out inconsistencies in time-wasting after Takehiro Tomiyasu fell foul of the rules.

The North London club defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 as Martin Odegaard’s second-half strike assured there points.

Arsenal defender Tomiyasu was sent off at Selhurst Park, picking up a soft yellow card for a foul on Jordan Ayew just seven minutes after being cautioned for perceived time-wasting at a throw-in.

Asked about the rule changes, Mikel Arteta replied: “For me it is not an issue. The referee makes that call.

“And we are consistent with that. They explained it. The only thing we are asking for is consistency. If not we need to play with a stopwatch to understand what is it and what is not.”

Arteta did not agree when told Tomiyasu had waited 23 seconds to take the throw-in before being cautioned – replying: “It wasn’t. I think it was eight seconds. We might have to play with a stopwatch.

“This is the standards.”

Despite the red card, Arsenal made it two wins from two following on from the opening-day victory over Nottingham Forest.

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