In a dramatic turn of events during the 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion, midfielder Declan Rice has issued an apology to his teammates and supporters for his red card, which he believes was a "harsh" decision by referee Chris Kavanagh. The incident occurred when Rice was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away after a free-kick was awarded to Brighton.

Rice, 25, expressed his shock at the decision, stating that he merely touched the ball with the outside of his foot and did not intentionally kick it away. The red card came after Rice had already received a booking in the first half for a late foul on Joel Veltman. The Brighton player had retaliated by kicking out at Rice, leading to the England international's dismissal.

Both Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and forward Bukayo Saka have joined in criticizing the inconsistencies in the officiating surrounding Rice's red card. They believe that the referee's decisions were not consistent throughout the match.

Reflecting on the incident, Rice admitted that the second yellow card was tough and harsh, particularly as it occurred in the corner flag area where Brighton's progress was limited. However, he acknowledged that he must move on from it and praised his teammates, manager, and the fans for their support during the match.

Despite Rice's dismissal, Arsenal managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead until Brighton equalized nine minutes later. The draw meant that Arsenal dropped their first points of the season, and they face a challenging week ahead with matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Atalanta, and Manchester City in September.

Rice's red card also has consequences for the upcoming North London derby on September 15, as both he and new signing Mikel Merino will be unavailable for selection. The midfielder expressed his sincere apologies to his teammates and the fans for the sending-off, acknowledging the sense of guilt that comes with it.

Looking ahead, Rice remained positive, stating that the team would bounce back stronger. He acknowledged the tough run of fixtures awaiting them after the international break but expressed confidence in the team's readiness to face the challenges.

Arsenal will regroup and focus on their upcoming matches, while Rice will use this experience to fuel his growth as a player. The incident has sparked discussions around the consistency of referee decisions in football and highlights the need for clarity and transparency in officiating.