WILLIAM SALIBA will miss Arsenal’s game against Liverpool after the club decided NOT to appeal his red card.
Saliba, 23, was sent off for a last-man foul on Bournemouth striker Evanilson as he tried to cover a wayward Leandro Trossard back pass.
The centre-back was placed just beyond the halfway line when he brought down the Cherries ace in the middle of the pitch after 30 minutes.
On-field referee Rob Jones initially issued a yellow card for the offence.
However, VAR Jared Gillett summoned Jones over to the monitor to review the decision.
The yellow card was then replaced with a straight red to send Saliba for an early shower, with it deemed there was no covering defender and therefore he had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
READ MORE IN ARSENAL
Arsenal went on to lose the game 2-0, with the controversial decision argued over by ex-ref Mark Halsey.
Manager Mikel Arteta had said the club were considering their options with regards to a potential appeal.
But Arsenal have now decided that the issue is not worth pressing, and have conceded the fight over the Frenchman’s suspension.
Saliba will miss one domestic match – next Sunday’s crunch clash against table-toppers Liverpool.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Had it been violent conduct, he would have received a three-game ban.
It was the third time this season the Gunners have seen a player sent off, with Declan Rice sent off against Brighton and Trossard sent off against Manchester City.
The three red cards in eight games means Arsenal have now had 18 red cards since Arteta took over in December 2019 – SIX more than any other team.
One more this season will be their 108th red card of the Premier League era – a joint-record alongside Everton.
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
Only three sides – Manchester United in 1992/93 and Chelsea in 2004/05 and 2016/17 – have managed to avoid having a player sent off in a season.
The stats behind the red cards also do not bode well for Arsenal’s title chances, with 17 of the 32 league winners managing to avoid picking up three reds or more.
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.
Saliba will likely be back in the North Londoners team for their match against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
