Conte defends David Luiz and claims defender was fouled by Sanchez

Antonio Conte defended David Luiz following the Chelsea player’s late sending off for a reckless challenge on Sead Kolasinac.

For the third consecutive game against Arsenal, the Blues were reduced to 10 men after referee Michael Oliver showed Luiz, who had already been booked, a straight red card for an 87th-minute lunge on the Gunners’ summer signing.

But Conte believes his defender was provoked into making the tackle by a tussle with Alexis Sanchez moments before.

‘I don’t like to comment on refereeing decisions, it is in the past, but now the only thing I can tell you is it is very important to see what happened before the David Luiz tackle,’ Conte said. ‘For sure, that was a foul (by Sanchez on Luiz). But the referee took this decision. If he stopped the play before, it wouldn’t matter.’

Conte, who revealed that Pedro suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s goalless draw, admits the Blues must improve their disciplinary record.

‘A strange situation. But in normal situations we have to improve. In tactical situations, physical situations, you need to try and improve,’ he said. ‘Also, you have to be more lucky in future. I was a player and it can happen, this type of period, if you are not so lucky and receive red cards.

‘We’ll try to pay more attention in the future. I hope, also, to be more lucky with the refereeing decisions. For us, and also for the opponents. Sometimes the opponents deserve a red card but, instead, they carry on playing with 11 men.’