Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has openly admitted to the club’s growing discipline issues following a string of red cards that have impacted their performance in the Premier League. The Gunners have been reduced to 10 men in several crucial matches this season, a trend that Arteta recognizes could derail their ambitions to challenge for the title. With three red cards in their first eight Premier League games, Arteta knows that the discipline struggles must be resolved swiftly if Arsenal are to maintain their position as legitimate title contenders.
Arsenal’s Discipline Record Under Arteta
Since taking over at Arsenal in December 2019, Mikel Arteta has guided the club through a significant period of transition. While there have been positive signs, including a return to Champions League football and sustained Premier League contention, one persistent issue has been the team’s discipline. Arsenal has received 18 red cards in Premier League matches during Arteta’s tenure, the highest number in the league since he took charge.
The red card issues have been particularly costly this season, with Arsenal dropping points in matches where they’ve been reduced to 10 men. This includes three red cards in the opening eight league matches, contributing to losses of momentum in their title challenge. Speaking candidly about the problem, Arteta admitted: “Playing with ten men makes the task almost impossible, especially in this league. We need to eradicate that. The reasons for the red cards may be different, but the outcome is always the same – it puts us at a disadvantage.”
Arteta’s comments reflect his growing frustration with the situation, as he emphasized that discipline is crucial for competing at the highest level. With Arsenal aiming to win their first Premier League title since 2004, the manager knows that playing with a full complement of players is non-negotiable.
William Saliba’s Red Card and the Appeal Decision
One of the most recent discipline issues came when Arsenal center-back William Saliba was sent off during their match against Bournemouth. The sending-off, which came after a VAR check, played a crucial role in Arsenal’s eventual defeat, their first of the Premier League season. Following the decision, there was significant debate among fans and pundits about whether the red card was justified.
When asked about whether Arsenal would appeal the decision, Arteta made it clear that the final call on appealing Saliba’s red card would rest with the club’s hierarchy. “I leave that more to the club to understand the circumstances. They will have to decide it,” Arteta said.
As of now, Arsenal has decided not to pursue an appeal, meaning that Saliba will serve a suspension during their upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool. However, Saliba will be available for Arsenal’s crucial Champions League fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk, offering the Gunners some respite in their defensive line for European competition.
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The Cost of Red Cards in Arsenal’s Title Challenge
For Arsenal, the timing of these discipline issues couldn’t be more critical. After a promising start to the 2024-25 season, they have found themselves losing ground in the Premier League title race due to costly send-offs. Arteta made it clear that this problem must be addressed immediately, warning that continued disciplinary lapses could cost Arsenal the title.
“When you play with ten men for 65 minutes, the task becomes almost impossible,” Arteta said. “So, we need to eradicate that. It’s clear why, the reason and how, it doesn’t matter. We have to focus, and it has to stop.”
The statistics support Arteta’s concerns. Arsenal has managed to win all five of the games they have finished with 11 players this season. In stark contrast, they have dropped points in each of the three matches in which they have received red cards. This alarming trend highlights the need for greater discipline and focus, especially in high-stakes matches.
Since Arteta arrived Arsenal have had 17 red cards
The next most in the league is 7
Here are some of those red cards
pic.twitter.com/NNvtKyzpzd— PB (@OliPriceBates) September 3, 2024
Arteta’s acknowledgment of the problem, paired with his willingness to address it head-on, could be the turning point for Arsenal. However, it’s clear that these red cards are becoming a significant obstacle in their title pursuit, and any further slip-ups could severely harm their ambitions.
The Road Ahead for Arsenal and Arteta’s Approach
Looking ahead, Arteta emphasized that the team will need to focus not just on their tactical approach, but also on ensuring they maintain composure during games. The Arsenal boss noted that while they’ve addressed the discipline issue internally, simply talking about it isn’t always effective. “We talked about it, we showed, we repeated the message that we had to play with 11, and it happened again,” Arteta admitted. “Sometimes the best way is to not talk about it and let the actions speak.”
With key matches on the horizon, including their Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk and a Premier League showdown with Liverpool, Arsenal will need to remain disciplined if they are to maintain their positive momentum. Saliba’s absence in the Liverpool clash will be felt, but Arteta has faith in his squad’s ability to cope.
As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Arteta’s Arsenal can overcome their discipline challenges and maintain their push for the Premier League title. One thing is clear: Arteta is fully aware of the stakes, and his focus is on ensuring his team stays on track.
