THE odds are already stacked against Arsenal to lift the Premier League title this season – owing to their disciplinary record.
The Gunners crashed to a 2-0 away defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday, with the game-changing moment coming in the 30th minute as William Saliba was shown a straight red via VAR intervention.
That is now three red cards in eight Prem outings this term after Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard’s dismissals against Brighton in August and Manchester City in September respectively.
It was the 18th red card Arsenal have been shown in the Prem since Mikel Arteta took over on December 26, 2019 – SIX more than any other side.
Should they pick up another this term, it will be Arsenal’s 108th red card in the Prem era – a joint-record alongside Everton.
And it may well spell the end for their hopes of knocking Manchester City off their perch and claiming a first English league title crown since the Invincibles of 2004.
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On this occasion, the numbers do not lie.
It must be said that it is very rare for a Prem team to go through an entire league season without having a player sent off.
Only three sides have managed that Manchester United in 1992/93 and Chelsea in 2004/05 and 2016/17.
But the correlation between the number of red cards and chances of finishing on top of the pile are clear for all to see, especially in recent times.
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Of the 32 campaigns in the Prem era, 17 league winners have managed to avoid picking up three reds or more.
Up until the 2011/12 season, of the 20 league winners, 13 of them were shown three or more red cards.
The most was six in 2001/02, from Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, who needed a late charge with 13 straight wins to snatch the title away from Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United.
In Arsenal’s three Prem titles since 1992/93, they have received three red cards or more, and only once have they won the league with more than three, in 2002.
But since 2012/13, only TWO teams have picked up three or more red cards and went on to be victorious: Chelsea’s four dismissals in 2014/15 and Leicester who saw three in 2015/16.
Between 2016 and 2024, no winner has picked up more than two.
In their six title-winning campaigns over the last seven years, Pep’s City have earned just nine red cards.
Their only blip came in 2019/20 when they picked up four reds while losing out to Liverpool, who received just one.
In the modern era of Premier League football then, good discipline usually leads to glory – something Arteta needs to defy in the remaining 30 league games this season.
Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth
By Alex Crook
TEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.
The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.
But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.
Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.
Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.
Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.
DAVID RAYA – 5
Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.
BEN WHITE – 4
England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 3
Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.
GABRIEL – 5
Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.
DECLAN RICE – 5
Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.
RAHEEM STERLING – 4
Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.
MIKEL MERINO – 5
Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.
SUBSTITUTES
Jakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4
Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5
Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) – N/A
Ethan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) – N/A
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
