The Gunners have been plagued by disciplinary issues, receiving three red cards in just eight Premier League games this season. All three dismissals have stirred controversy, yet their impact is undeniable: Arsenal has secured victory in every match where they maintained a full team of 11 players. However, they have lost crucial points following the send-offs of Declan Rice against Brighton, Leandro Trossard against Manchester City, and suffered their first defeat of the season following William Saliba’s red card at Bournemouth. Mikel Arteta has expressed his concerns about the team’s struggles when playing with 10 men, stating the challenge it presents at the top level of competition. He is focused on preventing future dismissals through a method he considers effective, though unconventional.
Mikel Arteta said, “Playing with 10 men, obviously there is an issue. Regardless of that, we cannot continue to play with 10 men, especially at this level. And you see how struggling, all the teams have to win football matches. The most effective way, I have to be very honest, is not talking about it. Because we tried and we showed and we talked and we repeated the message that we had to play with 11 and it happened again after a week or after three weeks and they said, ‘guys, let’s try something else’. And then it disappeared. So I don’t know if it’s the right way or not but that’s what happened, that’s the reality.”
In light of the situation, Arsenal reportedly plans to refrain from appealing Saliba’s red card from the Bournemouth match. As a result, the French defender will miss Sunday’s crucial showdown against Liverpool. Despite these challenges, Arteta remains optimistic, believing in the team’s ability to channel their sense of injustice positively.
Mikel Arteta said, “(The team is) absolutely galvanised and they show their teeth and they fight against the situation. They say, ‘OK, this is what we have to play, how we have to do it. We’re going to do it and we are happy with that’.”
