Will Arsenal’s disciplinary record cost them the Premier League?

Arsenal suffered a shocking 2-0 loss away at AFC Bournemouth, with the Cherries denting their Premier League title aspirations. It was Arsenal’s first loss of the season after a terrific start.

The Gunners looked in control early on before a poor pass from Leandro Trossard put William Saliba under enormous pressure, and the Frenchman brought down Bournemouth centre-forward Evanilson. 

After initially escaping with a yellow, VAR asked the referee to reconsider, and Saliba was handed a red card for a last-man foul that prevented a goalscoring chance. 

Despite Arsenal handling themselves well at first, they began to crumble in the second half as the Cherries piled the pressure, looking to make their man advantage count, and they did. 

A goal from Ryan Christie and a penalty brilliantly dispatched by Justin Kluivert earned Bournemouth their first league win over Arsenal since January 2018.

As for Arsenal, they will be left to rue the red card to Saliba, which cost them this game. It has been a recurring theme in the games where they have dropped points this season. 

Arsenal have dropped points in three of their eight Premier League games this season. They have had a man sent off in all three of those matches.

Before today, they drew Manchester City late last month, and Trossard had received his marching orders for kicking the ball away as a free-kick was about to be taken.

It was a particularly senseless decision considering that just weeks earlier, Declan Rice had picked up a controversial red card for a similar situation versus Brighton & Hove Albion as officials crack down on time wasting.

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These cards are costing Arsenal points as they bid to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title and end their 20-year wait to conquer the English top flight.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needs to speak with his team regarding their disciplinary issues. 

Since Arteta’s first game in charge of Arsenal on Boxing Day 2019, the Gunners have been shown 18 red cards in the Premier League, at least five more than any other side.

While Arsenal’s footballing prowess has been on display, their inability to maintain discipline is a glaring flaw. Their title challenge could be severely hampered if they continue to make such costly mistakes.

Can Arteta and his team rectify their disciplinary issues before it’s too late? We can only wait and see how they respond.