MIKEL ARTETA vowed Arsenal will use their red card “pain” to drive them on in a crunch week.
The Gunners are still reeling from William Saliba’s dismissal at Bournemouth – their third sending-off in six Prem games – which led to a first defeat since April.
It was the 18th red card Arsenal have been shown in the league 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.
Yet Arteta claims his team have been “galvanised” by the woeful red-card streak.
Arsenal aim to bounce back, starting tonight against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League before hosting Liverpool on Sunday.
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Arteta said: “It’s absolutely galvanised the group. They’ll show their teeth and 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’.
“But playing with ten men, obviously there is an issue. We just cannot continue to do this.
“We’ve also had two different periods where we had a lot of reds and then not any. Now we have had three in a row.
“But we can’t continue to play with ten at this level. The task becomes almost impossible.
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“So, we must eradicate that. Let’s take that pain and use it tomorrow. It has to happen.”
Centre-back Saliba’s red was the latest example of ill-discipline that has cost Arsenal seven points already this season.
Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have also been dismissed and now the Gunners lie four points off leaders Liverpool ahead of their Emirates clash.
Asked how you sort this discipline problem, Arteta said: “The most effective way is not talking about it.
“Because we tried and talked and repeated the message – and a red then happened again.”
Midfielder Rice earned a second yellow in August for delaying the restart against Brighton, as did Trossard against Manchester City in September.
Frenchman Saliba was deemed to have pulled down Cherries striker Evanilson as the last man.
Saturday’s 2-0 loss was Arsenal’s first in 17 matches. But Arteta feels his side are ready to go on another unbeaten run.
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He added: “The relentlessness and attitude of the team is remarkable.”
Arteta is sweating on the fitness of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, who did not seem to train yesterday.
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
