Declan Rice was Arsenal’s standout player in yesterday’s match against Bournemouth, and he acknowledged afterward that they simply cannot afford to keep getting red cards during matches.
The Gunners have been one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League this season, and they were expected to defeat the Cherries.
They likely could have achieved that had they kept 11 players on the pitch for the entire match or if Gabriel Martinelli had converted a golden opportunity.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side fell short, and they now face the challenge of taking on Liverpool next weekend without William Saliba.
Saliba’s red card marked Arsenal’s third sending-off of the season, raising concerns about a troubling trend.
At the end of the game, Rice was seen having a chat with the referee Robert Jones and Metro Sport revealed what the midfielder told the official.
The report claims Rice said: ‘Every week it’s the same.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
Our discipline should be a cause for concern now, and it is threatening to derail our season, so we have to do something about it.
The players know they cannot continue to lose a man in games because that would make it impossible to win those matches.
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Just keep it buttoned, Declan.
Arteta really needs to read the riot act to our players or “conversations” with referees will end up with yet more cards. If you’re in a discipline hole – stop digging.
Saliba’s red was obvious and deserved unfortunately. Rather than conversations with the ref, speak to his teammates and have Arteta give hairdryer treatment.
There don’t seem to be consequences for these offenses; Rice, Trossard, now Saliba.
Perhaps fining the players to cut out the poor discipline, benching may hurt the team if key players miss additional games.
This lack of discipline has been an issue since Arteta has been manager. Guendouzi, Pepe, Xhaka numerous times, now 3 in 8 games already this year.
Something has to change from Arteta, complaining in press conferences isn’t the answer, instead show that “ruthlessness” and apply it to the poor discipline that is leading to red cards.