We cannot continue to play with 10 men – Arteta

Arteta Demands Disciplinary Improvement After Arsenal’s Costly Red Card Trend Continues

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stressed the need for improved discipline after William Saliba’s red card contributed to their 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, the Gunners’ first loss of the Premier League season.

Saliba’s dismissal marks the third time this season that Arsenal have been reduced to 10 men, following red cards for Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard in previous matches.

Worryingly for Arteta, Arsenal have conceded goals in all three games where they have had a player sent off.

“Playing with 10 men, always there is an issue,” Arteta acknowledged. “Regardless of that, we cannot continue to play with 10 men, especially at this level. We need to eradicate that, it’s clear.”

Arteta highlighted the varying circumstances surrounding the red card incidents but emphasized the need to address the underlying problem. “The truth is, when you analyse it, three very different actions and the outcome of them, the reasons are very different,” he said. “The reasons and how – it doesn’t matter. We have to focus and it has to happen.”

Arsenal’s disciplinary record under Arteta is a cause for concern. Since his appointment in December 2019, the Gunners have received 18 red cards in the Premier League, five more than any other team.

While Saliba will miss Arsenal’s crucial home game against Liverpool on Sunday, he is available for their Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. Arteta urged his team to use the disappointment of the Bournemouth defeat as motivation for their upcoming European fixture.

“It’s reacting,” Arteta stated. “You have a defeat, it is part of the game and sport. Let’s move on, take that pain that we have still have in our tummy and use it on Tuesday.”

Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, after William Saliba was shown a first-half red card.

Saliba was dismissed for bringing down Evanilson in the 28th minute, following a misplaced pass from Leandro Trossard that put the defender under pressure.

Despite their resilient defending, Arsenal were unable to withstand Bournemouth’s relentless pressure. Ryan Christie broke the deadlock with a superb strike in the 70th minute, before substitute Justin Kluivert sealed the victory with a confidently taken penalty.

Saliba’s Red Card Proves Costly

The sending off of Saliba proved to be the turning point in the match. While Bournemouth had started energetically, pressing high and disrupting Arsenal’s rhythm, it was the numerical advantage that ultimately allowed them to take control.

Bournemouth, determined to bounce back from their defeat to Leicester City, were full of running and made life difficult for Arsenal throughout the match. Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson both threatened the Arsenal goal before Saliba’s dismissal.

Arsenal had a chance to take the lead before the red card, but Gabriel Martinelli was denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

However, Trossard’s misplaced pass put Saliba in a difficult position, leading to the foul and subsequent red card.

Substitute Kluivert made a significant impact, setting up Christie’s opener with a clever flick before converting a penalty to secure the win.

The victory ended Bournemouth’s dismal run against Arsenal, who had won the previous four league meetings convincingly.

Despite going down to 10 men, Arsenal defended resolutely for much of the match.

However, the absence of key attacking players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard limited their attacking threat.

The defeat is a setback for Arsenal’s title aspirations, particularly with a crucial match against Liverpool looming next weekend.

Arteta will be hoping for the swift return of his injured players as they face a challenging run of fixtures.

“It’s very difficult to win in the Premier League with 10 men for 60-70 minutes,” admitted Arteta. “We have had to go through it in three games and that cost us the game.”