Arsenal star slammed for "stupid" and "completely unnecessary" act that will see him fined

Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares was criticised after being shown a straight red card during a match for loan club Marseille.

The Portugal defender signed for the Gunners from Benfica last summer to provide competition for Kieran Tierney, and made 22 Premier League appearances in his first season.

But Mikel Arteta made the decision to loan him out to Marseille for this campaign - and the left-back was not happy about one particular element of the deal.

Speaking in an interview with RMC Sport (quotes via Daily Mirror), Tavares said: "When signing with OM, I wanted to have an option [for them] to buy, but Arsenal refused. With my agents, we always wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal didn't."

Tavares has featured prominently for OM this term, scoring five goals in 16 Ligue 1 appearances.

He also played all six of Marseille's Champions League group games. However, the French giants were knocked out of European competition entirely by a late Harry Kane goal for Tottenham in the final group stage match.

Tavares has earned plenty of praise during his time in France for his performances, especially in attacking play.

But during his side's 2-1 win over Montpellier on January 2, in which he scored in the first half, Tavares was involved in an incident he will want to put behind him quickly.

Tavares sent off for Marseille

In the 85th minute, with the score at 2-0 to OM, Tavares was penalised after a kick on Montpellier defender Arnaud Souquet.

The Portugal defender did not receive any card from the on-field referee at first, but the foul was quickly referred to VAR.

They decided that Tavares should be shown a red card, meaning the 22-year-old was sent from the field of play.

He was heavily criticised on BT Sport commentator Paul Dempsey, who called it "absolutely stupid", before adding: "Completely unneccessary. Ridiculous tackle in the first place. If he'd have backed away, he would still be on the field."

Marseille manager Igor Tudor confirmed after the game that Tavares would receive a 'big fine' following the incident. Given his form this season, he will surely return to the starting XI once he serves his suspension.