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Mikel Arteta reveals new plan to overcome disciplinary problems with Arsenal on the brink of record red card record

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Mikel Arteta reveals new plan to overcome disciplinary problems with Arsenal on the brink of record red card record

MIKEL ARTETA vowed Arsenal will use his “painful” red card to spur them on in a difficult week.

The Gunners are still reeling from William Saliba’s dismissal at Bournemouth, their third sending-off in six Prem games, which marked a first defeat since April.

Arsenal star William Saliba sent off for a foul on Evanilson, his third red in six games

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Arsenal star William Saliba sent off for a foul on Evanilson, his third red in six gamesCredit: PA
Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton

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Declan Rice was sent off against BrightonCredit: Getty
Leandro Trossard was sent off early against City

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Leandro Trossard was sent off early against CityCredit: AP
Mikel Arteta says the red cards have boosted the squad

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Mikel Arteta says the red cards have boosted the squadCredit: Getty

It was Arsenal’s 18th red card in the league since Mikel Arteta took charge on 26 December 2019. SIX more than any other side.

Should he get another this term, it will be Arsenal’s 108th red card in the Prem era, a joint record with Everton.

However, Arteta claims his team have been “galvanized” by the unfortunate run of red cards.

Arsenal aim to bounce back, starting tonight against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League before hosting Liverpool on Sunday.

Arteta said: “The group is totally galvanized. They will show their teeth and fight the situation. They say, ‘OK, this is what we have to play, how we have to play it. We will do it’.

“But playing with ten men, obviously there is a problem. We just can’t keep doing this.

“We’ve also had two different periods where we’ve had a lot of reds and then none. Now we’ve had three in a row.

“But we can’t keep playing with ten at this level. The task becomes almost impossible.

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“So we have to eradicate it. Let’s take that pain and use it tomorrow. It has to happen.”

Central Saliba’s red card was the latest example of bad discipline that has already cost Arsenal seven points this season.

Did the officials cheat Arsenal with Man City’s spectacular winner and the red card for Saliba?

Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have also been dropped and the Gunners are now four points off leaders Liverpool ahead of their clash at the Emirates.

When asked how he solves this discipline problem, Arteta said: “The most effective way is not to talk about it.

“Because we tried to talk and repeat the message, and then it went red again.”

Midfielder Rice earned a second yellow in August for delaying the replay against Brighton, as did Trossard against Manchester City in September.

Frenchman Saliba was deemed to have brought down Cherries forward Evanilson as the last man standing.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat was Arsenal’s first in 17 games. But Arteta feels his side are ready to go on another unbeaten run.

He added: “The team’s relentlessness and attitude is remarkable.”

Arteta is sweating on the fitness of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, who didn’t seem to train yesterday.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth Player Ratings

By Alex Crook

TEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season when brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a setback on the south coast.

The Gunners traveled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight games this season.

But their task was complicated when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour mark.

Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead after a well-worked set-piece routine with 20 minutes remaining.

Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 win from the penalty spot in the 79th minute.

Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners artist on the day.

DAVID RAY – 5
He was lucky to get away with a bad pass from the back early on. He made amends for another mistake by saving smartly with his legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially flicking on Semenyo’s cross before clumsily slotting home the penalty.

BEN WHITE – 4
The England outcast returned to the team after four matches but did not appear to be 100% fit and struggled to contain Bournemouth’s spirited Antoine Semenyo down the left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second

WILLIAM SALIBA – 3
Normally calm and collected under pressure, he paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he brought down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to be sent off and will miss next weekend’s clash at home to the his title rival, Liverpool.

GABRIEL – 5
With the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Bukayo Saka, but not at his best, especially after losing fellow central defender Saliba. He didn’t really rise to the top.

RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
He did a better job of containing Semenyo when the Bournemouth dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but he was unable to be his usual influence going forward.

THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Back in his traditional place in midfield after being used as an emergency in the 3-1 win against Southampton. He was second best to the impressive Lewis Cook of Bournemouth.

DECLAN RICE – 5
Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. He struggled to dominate the game in midfield and was unable to get forward as much as he usually does. His share fell to the bottom line after Saliba’s dismissal.

RAHEEM STERLING – 4
The former England international was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times in promising positions before being sacrificed following Saliba’s red card.

MIKEL MERINO – 5
He was finally able to make his Premier League debut after an injury-plagued start to his Arsenal career and showed some good touches. He also fired into the net with the best opening of the first half for the visitors.

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
He started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass which resulted in a red card and he disappeared from the action after being substituted shortly after the half hour mark.

KAI HAVERTZ – 5
The German cut an isolated figure up front, particularly after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his scoring streak in the previous four games in all competitions.

SUBSTITUTES
Jakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4

Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5

Gabriel Jesus (by Kiwior, 81) – N/A

Ethan Nwaneri (by Merino, 81) – N/A

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