Mikel Arteta has had to change his tactics on a few occasions this season when his Arsenal side have been reduced to ten players.
Unfortunately for the manager, that has happened on three occasions already in the Premier League, which has been costly.
In all three matches where Arsenal have received a sending-off, the side have dropped points – which have been the only dropped points of the campaign so far.
Arteta has often instructed his team to sit deeper and look for rare opportunities to score and earn points that way.
It hasn’t quite worked though, moving from two winning positions to draws and one drawing position to losing.
Jamie Carragher questions Arsenal tactics with red cards
With red cards being a hot topic of discussion, there has been some scrutiny of Arteta’s approach and in-game management.
While it is a difficult situation, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that Arsenal should offer more when reduced to ten players.
He said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football: “I think they [Arsenal] should’ve done more in those games [with red cards in].
“When you see how they’ve gone about it, they’ve gone really pragmatic and really defensive in those games.
“I totally get the [Man] City one, there was a little bit of criticism on the City one but not from me. I sort of enjoyed watching and could certainly get it.
“But obviously you look at the stats and of course, they’re going to be against it but I just think ‘can they do a little bit more with ten men?’ I’ve played in games with ten men and won games.
“I think of Manchester United in the past or Manchester City, Liverpool I think maybe last season at Newcastle. You can still win the game. I know it’s not easy, I get that, but they’ve dropped in every game.”
Arsenal’s disciplinary record could cost Arsenal
So far this season, Arsenal have already dropped seven points in the race for the Premier League title, all coming from the games they’ve received red cards in.
Since the arrival of Arteta, the Gunners have picked up 17 red cards, more than any other team in the division.
While that wasn’t a huge issue last season, it is rearing its head again and the manager must keep a lid on it.
Regardless of his tactics in those moments with ten men, the best solution for the Arsenal boss would be to cut out the red cards altogether.
Those disciplinary issues will be an interesting thread heading into the Premier League title clash with Liverpool.
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