Arsenal’s newest Ivorian signing Gervinho was sent off on the opening day of the league season in a controversial scuffle between the Ivorian and Newcastle United’s Joey Barton.

“There is a link between the incident [and Diaby’s sending off last season]. He got away with a yellow card both years,” retaliated Arsene Wenger at post match interview

The result was that ten-man Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at Newcastle on the opening day of the Premier League season.

The Gunners manager said that the controversial midfielder dodge justice for second game in succession following debutant Gervinho's sending-off

“@RobbieSavage8 hate CHEATS that dive to win pens. If theres contact go down but dont blatantly try to con the ref. Refs have it hard enough,” Barton wrote in his twitter account.

“What do people want me to do, stand and trade blows with Gervinho. If u raise ur hands to players faces, u should beoff. Ref got it right...,” Barton added.

The incident took place just 15 minutes before full time when Gervinho sped down the left, darted inside the area and cut back on Tiote. The Arsenal winger went down due to the trailing leg of the Newcastle midfielder and referee Walton waved play on. But Barton, still enraged with the Alex Song issue, took matters in his hands and a brief scuffle ensued. Gervinho was sent off while Barton was issued a yellow.

“We try to play football and, if you watched today, you will see that. Overall, I feel we have been very harshly punished today,” Wenger said. “We try to play and sometimes we overreact. We have to take control of that. If we have an area to improve on, then that is it. We will learn from that today.”

Arsenal’s next game in the league is against Liverpool on Saturday, but before that the Gunners will face Italian club Udinese for their Champions League game on Tuesday, according to an Arsenal.com report.

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