Luke Ayling is branded an ‘idiot’ for ‘disgusting’ tackle in Arsenal clash by Jamie Carragher

Luke Ayling has been scathingly labelled an ‘idiot’ by Jamie Carragher after his horror tackle during Leeds’ chastening Premier League encounter against Arsenal on Sunday.

The experienced defender clattered into Gabriel Martinelli near the corner flag after just 27 minutes, with his struggling side already trailing by two goals at the Emirates. 

The challenge saw Ayling hurtle in with both feet, leaving the hosts’ players furious.

Luke Ayling has been branded an ‘idiot’ after his horror tackle and red card against Arsenal

Leeds defender Ayling was initially shown a yellow card, which was upgraded to red by VAR

Surprisingly, he was initially shown just a yellow card, before referee Chris Kavanagh was told by VAR to review the incident at his pitch-side monitor. 

A brief check then saw the booking upgraded to a straight red, leaving the Whites down to 10 men in a game crucial to their hopes of staying in the top-flight. 

Pundit Carragher took aim at Ayling for the rash nature of his intervention, and has criticised him for letting down his team-mates despite the high stakes.

‘I love Luke Ayling as a player, but what an idiot,’ he said on Sky Sports.

Jamie Carragher slammed the lack of professionalism with the Whites battling relegation

Ayling trudging off the pitch left Leeds down to 10-men, after they trailed by two goals early on

‘The lack of professionalism for his team-mates and what this could mean going forward… it’s not just down to 10 men. Disgusting tackle with two feet.

‘It reminds me of a tackle Vinnie Jones did. What does he think is going to happen off the back of that? It was obvious it was going to be a red card. 

‘To do that, put your team-mates down to ten men, you miss the last three games… that could be the last game Luke Ayling ever plays in the Premier League.’

Indeed, Ayling is expected to be hit with a three-match suspension.