‘Has to change’… Alan Shearer has spotted a serious problem at Arsenal after Bournemouth defeat

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Arsenal unfortunately surrendered their unbeaten start to the new season at the hands of Andoni Iraola’s impressive Bournemouth side down on the south coast on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta rang the changes to his Arsenal team, some of which were forced owing to the absence of Bukayo Saka for example.

Saka picked up an issue whilst playing for England over the break and ultimately wasn’t deemed ready, something that surprised a lot of Arsenal fans.

In his place, Raheem Sterling was given the nod for a second Premier League start in a row, a performance that was cut short after William Saliba’s first half red card.

Sterling had some bright moments and some frustrating ones, but was ultimately denied the opportunity to help win the game for Arsenal, swiftly replaced by Jakub Kiwior when down to 10 men.

Of course, Arsenal have now received three red cards this season, more than any other side in the league, with 11 teams not having received any.

Mikel Arteta told he’s got a disciplinary problem on his hands at Arsenal

Speaking on Match of the Day, Alan Shearer pointed out that something that definitely needs to change in that regard for Arsenal moving forward.

The pundit rightfully pointed out that Arsenal were hindering themselves right now by getting too many players sent off, failing to win any of the games they’ve received a red card in.

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After concluding that Saliba was ‘definitely’ right to be sent off, Shearer said: “Well, it has to change. I mean, quite clearly, they are not going to get enough points if it doesn’t change.

“You have seen the games it has happened already this season, the two draws and the defeat today. They can’t continue for that to happen.”

William Saliba deserved his red card against Bournemouth

Match of the Day showed a graphic that since Boxing Day 2019, Arsenal have received 18 red cards, with Wolves and Everton joint second with 13.

The statistic demonstrated that this is a long-term issue under Arteta, not just something that’s arisen this season.

And for further context, Man City have received nine in that time and Liverpool seven.

Perhaps there will still be some Arsenal fans who feel there is a bias against the club in that regard, but it’s seriously hard to argue with the merits of Saliba’s red on Saturday.

The Frenchman simply made a poor split-second decision after Leandro Trossard had put his team in danger.

Some will argue that Ben White could have covered the ground to get back, but ultimately Saliba was the last man in that moment.

Either way, Arsenal have the perfect opportunity to bounce back against Liverpool once they’ve hopefully dispatched Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium.

And the Gunners simply can’t afford to keep throwing away games owing to red cards.