It’s getting hard to ignore Arsenal’s trouble staying out of trouble. Though they’ve assembled a talented, energetic team, frequent ejections – ill-timed choices while playing – threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked toward. Consequently, dropped points jeopardize their chances at winning the league; questions arise concerning their ability to keep cool when it matters most.
Alarming Pattern Emerging
Right from the start, Arsenal’s players haven’t been able to stay on the pitch. Five dismissals – more than any other club – have hurt them. Important games saw Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, likewise William Saliba receive marching orders, forcing Arsenal to play shorthanded versus tough rivals.
Arteta voiced his annoyance. Following the match against Bournemouth – where Saliba received a red card for stopping an attacker as the last defender – he stated that having a player dismissed creates problems. He wants to eliminate such incidents, yet resolving this pattern could be trickier than it appears.
Key Incidents this Season
This season, a few key instances really showed where Arsenal struggled to stay focused:
August 31 saw Declan Rice ejected versus Brighton following a clumsy challenge – his second booking. Consequently, Arsenal faltered, ultimately sharing points in a 1-1 tie.
Consequently, Arsenal spent the next 45 minutes primarily defending – a tiring effort that also brought potential for further harm. Despite this setback, they secured a 2–2 tie.
Saliba saw red against Bournemouth – a needless tug on a player he could’ve easily outmaneuvered. Consequently, Arsenal tasted defeat for the first time this term, falling 2–0.
It isn’t about anger; rather, players momentarily lose their cool. The issue goes beyond quick tempers – they struggle to focus when it matters most.
The Bigger Impact
Arsenal struggles with keeping its composure. A red card seems to unravel how they play together. The team’s high-energy press works because everyone moves together, swiftly getting back into position. Lose a player, though – it all falls apart immediately.
Players tire, naturally. Always having to protect their goal with one fewer person really takes its toll – leaving them worn out, more likely to get hurt. Frequent ejections scramble lineups, throwing off a team’s flow. Important athletes are sidelined from practice – impacting how well they work together over time.
Referee Statistics and Bias Concerns
It appears Arsenal gets a disproportionate number of red cards with certain refs – specifically, Michael Oliver. The numbers suggest they’re almost twice as prone to dismissals when he’s in charge. Whether it’s just chance or something else, fans feel their team’s tackles, even those mirroring opponents’, draw stricter calls.
Mistakes by the team aren’t justifiable, yet they reveal how easily striving to win slips into recklessness. Arteta wants his squad to stay calm during disputed calls from referees; however, they frequently fall short.
Fixing the Problem
Now, Arteta wants players to learn from mistakes. Coaches are going over each sending-off – looking specifically at what went wrong with choices made. Myles Lewis-Skelly, alongside other developing athletes, received guidance on maintaining composure during intense games. Practice now features simulations built around staying controlled when challenged – focusing on smart positioning even while feeling pressure.
Players like Gabriel and Declan Rice now step up, urging others to use strategic fouls thoughtfully – not just reactively. Moreover, the team’s boss thinks better focus cuts down on errors; so, they’ve added sports minds to assist athletes handling pressure.
Author’s Opinion
The problems with Arsenal’s behavior can be sorted – provided everyone, including the manager and players, owns their part. They have the skill to compete with clubs like Manchester City likewise Liverpool; however, a lack of composure at crucial times threatens everything they’re working toward. Arteta notes how small differences matter, yet maintaining control is what separates top teams. Arsenal needs to grasp that simply being forceful isn’t the same as truly controlling a game.
