Joel Veltman was “very lucky” not to be sent off at the Emirates, according to a Match Of The Day pundit.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said referee Chris Kavanagh was right to dismiss Declan Rice as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Albion.

But he also said Veltman could have followed for kicking the England man.

The pair clashed when Rice tapped the ball away from Veltman after Albion had been awarded a free-kick.

Rice had already been booked for a late challenge on Veltman.

Murphy said: “It was a huge turning point because Arsenal were quite comfortable at that point.

“Initially I thought he (Veltman) had just lashed out and kicked Declan Rice.

“Then when you see it, he is making out he kicked him because he is trying to clear the ball.

“I don’t quite believe that.

“By the letter of the law it’s a second booking.

“He has kicked it out of play, he has given the referee no choice and the referee makes the decision.

"I think Declan deserved the second yellow.”

Murphy added: “Veltman is very lucky. He could have been sent off for that.

“That wasn’t him taking a free-kick, let’s get that clear.”

Presenter Gary Lineker agreed with Murphy’s assessment.

He said: “I think this is another example where football has lost its mind.

“People getting a second yellow for flicking a ball about 12 inches.”

Both felt Joao Pedro should have been booked in the first half for kicking the ball away.

Earlier former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol said Rice had no excuse.

He told ESPN viewers: “What Declan Rice did is a yellow card.

“His red card has nothing to do with anything else that happened previously.”