Mikel Arteta faces growing concerns over Arsenal’s recurring disciplinary issues this season following William Saliba’s red card in the recent match against Bournemouth. Saliba’s dismissal adds to earlier infractions by Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice, which have collectively cost the Gunners vital points and left them trailing behind Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
Arteta expressed his frustration, stating, “We cannot continue to play with 10 men, especially at this level. It’s clear we need to eradicate that.” The Gunners have had a strong start to the season, winning every match where they’ve maintained their discipline. However, when red cards overshadow their performances, it significantly hampers their prospects.
Jamie Carragher criticized the team’s poor record of three red cards within the first eight games, highlighting the potential long-term implications for Arsenal’s title ambitions. “If it doesn’t change quickly, they’re going to have a big problem,” Carragher remarked. “You don’t want to fall behind early in the season.” This trend of multiple red cards has been a recurring issue for Arteta’s side, reminiscent of similar patterns in the past.
Since Arteta assumed control, Arsenal has accrued a staggering 18 red cards in the Premier League, far surpassing any other club. Notably, this season alone has seen the Gunners receive two first-half red cards, equal to the total for the other 19 clubs combined.
Historically, Arsenal has experienced a tumultuous relationship with discipline dating back to the days of Arsene Wenger, when the team frequently faced red card situations. Arteta’s current squad, however, has seen newer players like Rice, Trossard, and Saliba receiving their first-ever Premier League red cards, showcasing the troubling trend of ill-discipline impacting the squad’s performance.
Arteta contends that the red cards, especially those seen this season, have not stemmed from aggression but rather unfortunate incidents that require scrutiny. “What happened in those three cases is not about aggression in my opinion,” Arteta explained. He believes there are grounds to appeal Saliba’s sending off based on similar scenarios in recent matches.
The mitigating factors surrounding the team’s performance, including the absence of key players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka due to injuries, have compounded their struggles. Despite being a player down, Arsenal was on the verge of victory in their matches against Brighton and Bournemouth.
Ultimately, the question remains—can Arsenal find a way to secure wins despite their player disadvantage? While the club strives for more discipline, the pressure mounts as they prepare for crucial encounters. Arsenal will need to adapt and demonstrate resilience as they navigate the rest of the season, starting with a pivotal clash against Liverpool this Sunday.
