GUNNER FAVOUR
Arsenal benefit from more LENIENT referee decisions than rivals, stats show – despite three red cards this season
Scroll down to see a full table showing how Arsenal are treated by referees
STATS show that Arsenal are actually treated LENIENTLY by referees, despite their red card woes.
The Gunners have picked up THREE red cards in just eight Premier League games so far this season - dropping points on each occasion.
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William Saliba's sending off against Bournemouth on Saturday was the 18th red card Arsenal have been shown in the league since Mikel Arteta took over in 2019 – SIX more than any other side.
Should they pick up another this term, it will be Arsenal’s 108th red card in the Prem era – a joint-record alongside Everton.
But despite complaints from fans over whether they are being treated harshly by the officials, new research from has shown that Arsenal are in fact given much more leeway than their title rivals this season.
No team in the traditional 'big six' is able to make more fouls than Arsenal before finding themselves in the book, according to the stats.
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The Gunners are averaging 5.39 fouls per yellow card, a rate that sees them sit as the fourth most leniently refereed team in the league - as far as yellow cards go.
By comparison, title rivals Man City are the most harshly punished side in the league - picking up a yellow card for every 2.83 fouls.
Chelsea aren't far behind with referees choosing to brandish a yellow card every 2.93 fouls for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
While Spurs get away with 4.95 fouls and Liverpool manage 5.28 breaches before they find themselves punished.
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Arsenal have made 97 fouls this season, compared to Man City's 51 with both teams picking up the same number of yellow cards (18).
Of course, Man City's possession-based football means they are more likely to commit cynical fouls to prevent counter-attacks against them and are, in turn, more likely to be booked despite committing less fouls.
Did officials cheat Arsenal with dramatic Man City winner and Saliba red card?
It's worth noting that two of Arsenal's red cards have come from cumulative yellows in the game too, with Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard suffering the same fate.
And both players were issued with their second yellows for non-fouling incidents, with the pair both penalised for delaying the restart.
Arsenal are also the only team in the 'big six' to receive any red cards this season - of which they have three.
Bruno Fernandes was shown red for Manchester United against Spurs, but that decision has since been retrospectively overturned.
Perhaps the underlying data shows that Arsenal aren't being mistreated by officials - as so many fans would suggest - and are instead in a position where they need to just dial back their full-throttle defending.
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But their disciplinary record could be a positive thing, at least it is if you're Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners boss has claimed that his team have been"galvanised" by Saliba's red card at the weekend and are ready to use it in their favour.
Speaking ahead of their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, Arteta said: "It’s absolutely galvanised the group.
"They’ll show their teeth and fight against the situation. They say: ‘OK, this is what we have to play, how we have to do it. We’re going to do it’.
“But playing with ten men, obviously there is an issue. We just cannot continue to do this.
“We’ve also had two different periods where we had a lot of reds and then not any. Now we have had three in a row.
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“But we can’t continue to play with ten at this level. The task becomes almost impossible.
“So, we must eradicate that. Let’s take that pain and use it tomorrow. It has to happen.”
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Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth
By Alex Crook
TEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.
The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola's men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.
But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.
Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.
Justin Kluivert then sealed his side's incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.
Here's how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.
DAVID RAYA - 5
Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.
BEN WHITE - 4
England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.
WILLIAM SALIBA - 3
Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.
GABRIEL - 5
Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI - 6
Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.
THOMAS PARTEY - 5
Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.
DECLAN RICE - 5
Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.
RAHEEM STERLING - 4
Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.
MIKEL MERINO - 5
Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.
LEANDRO TROSSARD - 4
Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.
KAI HAVERTZ - 5
The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.
SUBSTITUTES
Jakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) - 4
Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) - 5
Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) - N/A
Ethan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) - N/A
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