Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season after losing to Bournemouth at the Vitality on match day eight.
Mikel Arteta will not be encouraged by what he saw on show on the South Coast, as the Gunners were unable to match the threat of Bournemouth in large spells of the game.
Gabriel Martinelli missed a clear chance to score in the second half before Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert scored to ensure the points remained at the Vitality.
Arsenal were simply not good enough on the night however, matters were not made any easier for Arteta’s side as William Saliba was sent off after just 30 minutes.
Arne Slot comments on William Saliba’s red card in Arsenal defeat
For the third time in only eight Premier League games this season, Arsenal were down to 10 men as a result of a red card.
Saliba was sent off after VAR review, as the Frenchman hauled down Evanilson when the Bournemouth striker was considered to be through on goal, seeing the foul classed as denying a goalscoring opportunity.
- READ MORE: What Howard Webb did during Arsenal’s VAR check explained amid William Saliba red card call
The decision was widely discussed, with the subject arising during Sunday afternoon’s action as Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo committed a similar offence.
The centre-back brought down Diogo Jota just past the halfway line and was shown a yellow card, which Liverpool manager Arne Slot contested after the game.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutchman commented on the ‘similar situation’ that the two defenders found themselves in, with only one offence warranting a dismissal.
“There was the decision of the red card, which I saw yesterday [Saliba vs. Bournemouth] was a red card in a similar situation, but it’s also nice these moments are inside the game because it creates a lot of energy.
“The fans really stood up today, they helped us a lot. And it probably comes from these kind of decisions, because they are just as biased as I am.”
How many games will Saliba miss?
There are plenty of opinions shared on the decision to send Saliba off, with matters not made easier when an identical situation occurred less than 24 hours later.
For now, Arsenal simply have to move on from what was a terrible night in Bournemouth, with two big clashes coming this week.
- READ MORE: Five things we learned as Arsenal’s unbeaten run ended at Bournemouth, Arteta gives up on player
First, the Gunners play Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, a game that Saliba is able to be involved in although, the Frenchman will miss out on the blockbuster duel against Liverpool.
Arsenal welcome the Reds to the Emirates in the Premier League on match day nine of the season, with Saliba missing out due to the one-game suspension as a result of his red card.
Fortunately, Arteta will only be without his prized centre-back for one Premier League game due to the nature of his dismissal, with the denial of a goalscoring opportunity only meriting a one-game ban.
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