Mikel Arteta hints he’s angry at one Arsenal star after Bournemouth defeat, it’s not William Saliba

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Arsenal fell to their first defeat of the season at Bournemouth, and Mikel Arteta was certainly unhappy after the game.

Arteta’s side were disappointing overall, but they were not helped by a red card to William Saliba in the first half, which came after he denied Bournemouth attacker Evanilson a goalscoring opportunity.

The red card put Arsenal in jeopardy for most of the game, and it became unsustainable to try and defend with 10 men again, having done it against Brighton and Manchester City this season already.

It was an unfortunate moment for Saliba, and Arteta is not frustrated with his reliable defender. However, he may be annoyed at another player.

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Mikel Arteta hints at frustration with Leandro Trossard after Arsenal defeat to Bournemouth

Saliba’s red card came as a result of a terrible back pass from Leandro Trossard, which fans expressed their dismay at.

Speaking after the game, Arteta bemoaned the situation that Trossard’s pass put Saliba in, but without directly naming the Belgian at fault.

“There are things that we have discussed in relation to certain topics,” Arteta replied when asked about the number of red cards his side has received.

“What happened today is almost a very unpredictable thing to happen, that the winger is going to play the ball to your centre back in the air, one touch and there is going to be a challenge there, 35 metres from goal.

“It’s very difficult to plan for it, but certainly we need to play with 11 against 11 if we want to be in the position we want to be.”

Leandro Trossard involved in two of Arsenal’s three red cards this season

Trossard’s frustrating display, as well as his role in Saliba’s red card, is now of concern. The 29-year-old was sent off against Manchester City after carelessly kicking the ball away after the whistle had blown for a foul he committed.

Although Trossard has often produced moments of quality in front of goal, his performances on the wings have been underwhelming, and as a senior player, his naivety in certain situations cannot be excused.

Arteta may not drop Trossard for now though, as Martin Odegaard is still absent with an ankle injury, but he will not be happy with the Belgium international.