SOFT IN THE RED
Troy Deeney: There is NO conspiracy against Arsenal – their red cards have been stupid and petulant… it’s worrying
Gunners are being punished for just one reason - their own stupidity
ARSENAL’S red-card run has me worried — but not for why you might think.
If the likes of Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba had been sent off for violent conduct, aggressive behaviour or arguing with refs, I could understand.
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These things happen, move on.
But in Arsenal’s case, none of them were for tackles. They were simply for petulant, lazy and stupid actions — things that manager Mikel Arteta cannot account for.
In all fairness, Rice’s red against Brighton for kicking the ball away was mental. The ref handled that badly.
But Trossard’s against Manchester City was incredibly petulant.
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And with Saliba’s at Bournemouth, he has got credit for reacting to a poor pass — ironically from Trossard — but I would have backed him to get back and for David Raya to save it.
It is something that keeps happening.
My other concern is the Arsenal players are starting to feel there is an agenda against them from the Prem refs — which there is NOT.
I have seen it in dressing rooms — you can find an excuse if you are looking for it. As players, it is never our fault.
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And if you are hearing it on social media and begin talking about it then it will seep in.
I am also worried that when these red cards have been given, I haven’t seen or heard of anyone screaming or shouting, pointing fingers. That’s maybe a sign of the times.
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I was sent off five times in my professional career and every time in the dressing room after the games, I’ve got hammered for letting the team down.
I have experienced all of the emotions. Sometimes you feel hard-done-by and there is an element of smashing the dressing room up because you are angry, and sometimes I felt like a kid again getting told off by my parents — there is so much shame.
I don’t sense that has happened at Arsenal; more: “Unlucky, mate. Better luck next time.”
Arsenal players are starting to feel there is an agenda against them from the Prem refs — which there is NOT.
Troy Deeney
You need accountability, you need players to show their frustration.
When Saliba was sent off and the team then lost 2-0, I would expect someone to at least ask: “Why did you do that?”
You are supposed to have conflict. You are allowed to hold people to a high standard.
Arsenal have obviously been doing that to get to the position they are at, challenging for the title.
But in these situations, if they are going into games without their best players — especially an avoidable one in Saliba — then that should rightly boil over behind the scenes.
And do not underestimate the toll it takes on you playing with ten men on several occasions in quick succession.
It is almost impossible physically to pull it off just once, let alone three times, as well as the psychological damage of not having the ball.
When that is the case, it becomes a long, hard slog.
You can still see what that draw at Man City did to them — it is still in their legs, in their heads.
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Drawing 2-2 so late on. You’ve played for so long with ten men, defended so well, contained them, and then someone scores and the whole emotion leaves your body.
City now have an effect on Arsenal whereby if they are not six or seven points ahead going into the last ten games of a season, they know they will be caught.
At the start of this campaign, they put a lot of pressure on themselves — maybe too much.
Bukayo Saka came out and said: “This is our year, we can do it.” I liked it.
I don’t see Arsenal getting a result but, for their sakes, I hope they do.
Troy Deeney
But with great expectation comes great responsibility and I don’t remember a game this season where they have looked like the Arsenal of the previous two years.
They have looked clunky and looked like they are forcing things.
And they are now in a position already this season where they have to go out and attack and win games, like against Liverpool on Sunday.
I don’t see Arsenal getting a result but, for their sakes, I hope they do. And as a neutral fan, I don’t want them to be done. Seven points adrift is huge.
So Arsenal have to deliver. And I am beginning to think of the question: When is Arteta under pressure?
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Maybe if they drift away from the title race by Christmas?
It is a harsh question given what he has done for the club but you have to deliver at some point.
Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor Gunners
ARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk - but it was far from a convincing performance.
Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…
DAVID RAYA - 7
Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stages
Pushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.
BEN WHITE - 6
Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team.
Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.
WILLIAM SALIBA - 7
In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.
One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES - 5
Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.
Marked improvement in the second half.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI - 6
Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.
Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.
THOMAS PARTEY - 6
Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.
Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn't have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.
DECLAN RICE - 6
Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.
Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area.
LEANDRO TROSSARD - 4
Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.
Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.
GABRIEL JESUS - 8
Wore the captain's armband and looked bright down the right wing.
Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.
Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI - 7
Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.
Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net.
KAI HAVERTZ - 7
Centimeters away from getting Arsenal's second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.
Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.
Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.
SUBS
Mikel Merino (on for White HT) - 6
Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.
Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) - 6
Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) - 6
Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.
Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) - N/A
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