Frank Christian
Arsenal is seen as one of the potential champions of the Premier League as the 2024/25 season unfolds. However, their record of player discipline has been a significant concern, which was highlighted once again during a disappointing 2-0 loss against Bournemouth on Saturday.
During this match, defender William Saliba received a red card in the 30th minute after he fouled Bournemouth’s Evanilson while trying to recover from a poor back pass by Leandro Trossard. After a VAR review, the referee sent Saliba off, marking the third time this season Arsenal has had to play with fewer than 11 players.
The Sporting News provides insights into the circumstances surrounding Saliba’s red card, which is the first red card of his career, and the implications for Arsenal going forward.
Details of Saliba’s Red Card Against Bournemouth
In Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth on October 19, referee Robert Jones issued a red card to William Saliba in the 30th minute. Initially, Saliba was shown a yellow card for his tackle on Evanilson, but after the VAR official Jarred Gillett reviewed the play, the referee revised his decision and showed a red card instead.
VIDEO: Watch the Saliba red card in the USA | Watch in the UK | Watch in Canada
The officiating team concluded that Saliba’s foul constituted a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity as he was the last defender. Although the foul occurred well outside the goal area, with Evanilson having some distance to cover, no other defenders were close enough to intervene, prompting the red card decision.
Some fans pointed out that Evanilson was offside at the start of the play; however, since the ball was played by an Arsenal player, Trossard’s back pass, the offside rule did not apply.
Suspension Details for Saliba
Saliba’s red card carries a one-match suspension for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, which is less severe than a traditional three-match ban for violent conduct. Unfortunately, this one-match absence will be during a crucial game against current league leaders Liverpool on October 27.
Mikel Arteta’s Comments on Saliba’s Red Card
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refrained from commenting on the specific decision regarding Saliba’s red card. Instead, he expressed concern about his team’s overall disciplinary issues, calling it “an accident waiting to happen” after the third red card in just eight matches this season.
Arteta emphasized the team’s need to improve their discipline to achieve their season goals: “We cannot continue like that if we want to be in the position that we want to be,” he stated following the loss.
Arsenal’s Disciplinary Record for 2024/25 Season
This season, Arsenal has struggled to manage its discipline in the Premier League, presenting a significant hurdle as they pursue the title. They have committed a total of 90 fouls, ranking 10th in the league, and have received 17 yellow cards, joint 13th overall.
However, their three red cards place them at the top of that unwanted chart, with Saliba joining Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard as players sent off this season.
Referee Robert Jones’ History with Arsenal
The red card issued to Saliba marks the first time referee Rob Jones has sent off an Arsenal player in seven matches he has officiated for the club. In those previous six games, Jones issued nine yellow cards to Arsenal players while awarding 19 yellows to their opponents.
Prior to the Bournemouth match, Arsenal had an unbeaten record under Jones, achieving four wins and two draws. His last match officiating for Arsenal was a 2-1 victory over Brentford in March of the previous season, where he issued six yellow cards in total.
