Three red cards in eight games!! We have to be very concerned.
The biggest talking point in the game against Bournemouth recently, besides the scoreline, was the sending off which is rightly so because of the implications that action had on the game, it saw us drop unnecessary points to a team that we should be beating and not for the first time this season. All the games we’ve dropped points so far this campaign have been arguably as a result of red cards.
Brighton, Man City and now Bournemouth were games that we could have won if not for a very recurrent theme for Mikel Arteta during his tenure. Indeed the Gunners have been shown a whopping 18 red cards in Premier League since he took charge of his first Arsenal game in 2019 which is five more than any other side, incredible!
In recent seasons prior to this and especially last season, we did better in regards to our discipline but we’ve taken a regressive step this season, in Eight games so far, we’ve had three players sent off and though some may have been contentious but we still have to question the discipline of the players. This should be a huge concern to us because we are absolutely NOT going to win anything unless we do something about these frequent red cards, we’re not going to win the EFL cup talk less of anything major if we continue to throw away games by making pretty daft mistakes.
That not only lost us the game but also put us in a very difficult situation concerning the Liverpool fixture next week, we’ll be without one of best players at the back and that might see us fall even further behind in the title race if we were to lose.
What might Arteta and the management possibly do to put an end to this frequent dismissals? Have your say gooners!
KENNETH BENJAMIN.
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Once again it’s mistakes that are our own downfall. Can’t blame anyone else but ourselves for the situation we’re in. I’m not sure if it’s a pressure thing or bad concentration but fundamentally, we have to start sticking to the basics and revisit the “if in doubt, kick it out” policy! Silly stray passes and naivety need to stop if are to get back on good run. As for this weekends game, Saliba is on a bad run but he just needs support around him. We know he’s one of the best around. So is Trossard. Although, I still believe Trossard is better coming off the bench in the second half. Maybe Arteta got it wrong in this case?
But as the stronger team we cannot start pannicking and collapsing against Bournmouth. We don’t have the mentality of big teams.
City is playing withut Rodri and still winning all their games.
Our coach initially got it wrong with 3 defensive-minded midfielders. What is Nwaneri actually doing on the bench when he has proven beyond doubt that he can do what is needed foor an attacking midfielder. We all know that the best defense is to attack.
Merino needs more time to adapt to our system but the manager suddenly introduced him leaving Nwaneri who could have done a better job on the bench.
Arteta need to be more firm with his players on disciplinary issues. It’s obvious some are yet to learn from their mistakes and Saliba inclusive. If he can’t stop the player he shouldn’t have brought him down. If the player scores there is a chance of equalizing 11 vs 11. And Saliba would be available for two important Epl matches against Liverpool and Chelsea. These games without Saliba would be difficult for Arsenal because we don’t have top replacement at the back that is right footed except BWhite. Gabriel & Calafiori are left footed.
He only misses one game, that’s against Liverpool.
True, but if we had the choice, it wouldn’t be the game against Liverpool, would it?
Problem is we don’t have a choice, as the suspension starts straight away.
These unnecessary consistent Red cards are causing me PTSD..
What’s going on with our players and a defence that was very solid last season?
We have not looked that solid this season as far..
But we do have a very fine replacement for Saliba in Timber who played for Ajax and Holland at right centre back..In fact he might turn out to be superior to Saliba in a number of areas although he does of course lack the Frenchman’s height and ability in the air.Let’s just hope Timber is fit for the Liverpool match.
Arteta plotted his own fall. Why using Raheem when Jesus was available and why Merino whenNwaneri was availabl? Sometimes , Arteta do not get his selection right probably because he was overconfident that Arsenal can easily handle Bournemouth. A great lesson for him if he would change his rigid attitude.
But Jesus doesn’t do anything. He’s there to put the ball in the opponent’s net but he hasn’t scored a goal since January!
What does he contribute to the team on the pitch now (not when he first arrived, or back at City) for the fortune that Arsenal is paying him – and will do until summer 2027 at this rate? Can anyone tell me?
Arteta recently got a new, bumper, contract until 2027 that makes him the second highest paid coach in the EPL behind Pep. The difference between the two is, obviously, that Pep is being rewarded for achievement whereas Arteta is being rewarded mostly on expectation.
Arsenal’s disciplinary problems is an ideal opportunity for Arteta to show (to some degree, anyway) why he’s being paid a fortune. It’s good timing for him as well because he seems to have curbed his own manic touchline behaviour that saw him carded on several occasions. After all, it hardly befits a coach telling his players to be more disciplined if he can’t control himself sufficiently.
Let’s see how Arteta handles this. He’ll be aware that no team has won the title in the last decade with more than three red cards in total – something Arsenal has now reached after only eight games. If that’s not a warning, nothing is.
Our discipline is getting me concerned. Keep getting Red Cards every other game.
I am so piissed off right now.