Whilst Arsenal have been seriously impressive under Mikel Arteta as a whole, they now find themselves top of the league in a stat they do not want to be leading in.
Arsenal statistically have the best defence in the Premier League this season, and have remained disciplined in terms of conceding goals and protecting leads, in a far cry from what the side was like when Arteta took over four years ago.
Arteta’s side came close to winning the title last season, and have now tightened up at the back following their collapse towards the end of the campaign.
However, since Arteta’s arrival in December 2019, Arsenal have received more red cards than anyone else in the Premier League.
Arsenal top Premier League red cards list
A statistic via Orbinho has revealed that since Arteta’s arrival, Arsenal have received 15 red cards in the league, more than any other Premier League side.
Everton and Wolves are next up on 12 each, with Brighton, Spurs and Manchester City on nine each.
The last game saw Arsenal add to this tally, with Fabio Vieira receiving a straight red card for a mistimed challenge, and this was the Gunners’ second of the season after Takehiro Tomiyasu received a surprise dismissal for timewasting at Selhurst Park early on in the campaign.
Arsenal’s red card stat is surprising
Arsenal have received some baffling red cards under Arteta, with Granit Xhaka being sent off harshly on some occasions, whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah have both seen red in the past for dangerous play.
This is surprising given the current nature of the Arsenal side. Gone are the days of Patrick Vieira, Mathieu Flamini or Emmanuel Petit causing carnage in the middle of the park, and since the departure of Xhaka, there are not many players one can point to as someone with a short temper or aggressive mindset.
Arsenal have been lucky to avoid more red cards this season, with Nketiah perhaps fortunate in the North London derby for a challenge on the Spurs goalkeeper, whilst Kai Havertz’s poor challenge on Sean Longstaff sparked wild debate after the defeat to Newcastle a few weeks ago.
Defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been exceptional, and Saliba’s composure is in great contrast to what the likes of David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi brought before him, with both players helping ignite chaos when it comes to poor challenges, red cards and mistakes.
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