Arsenal’s discipline has come into question this season, but Mikel Arteta has aimed a clear jab at the refereeing board after being asked about his side’s disciplinary record improvement.
It comes as the Gunners have been subjected to another campaign without winning the Premier League title, as Liverpool were crowned champions last time out.
While there have been some bright spots, it has been a largely difficult season for Mikel Arteta, who has been battling several different challenges.
Arsenal’s injuries haven’t helped the manager select his best team each week, with plenty of changes needed to the side.
On top of that have been some inconsistent performances on the pitch, not least when it comes to scoring with the chances created.
However, there have also been some refereeing decisions that Arsenal have felt aggrieved by throughout the season.
While it has occasionally put them at a disadvantage, Arteta has taken a clear jab at the PGMOL over their rules and how they have been applied this season.
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Mikel Arteta hits out at PGMOL over ‘new rules’ with Arsenal disciplinary record
Arsenal have faced some questionable refereeing decisions this season, with plenty of controversy following during the season.
Declan Rice’s red card against Brighton was the first to see a player sent off for delaying the restart, something the PGMOL have looked to clamp down on.
That continued when Leandro Trossard was sent off against Manchester City in similar circumstances.
William Saliba’s red card against Bournemouth for being the last defender didn’t help the side as they slumped to defeat.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s sending off against Wolves was eventually overturned, with Michael Oliver deemed to have made a mistake, though he was later sent off against West Ham.
In all, it’s been a tough one for Arsenal and the match officials, but recent weeks have seen an improvement in those disciplinary problems.
Mikel Arteta, however, believes it is down to the PGMOL’s rules, as he took a clear swipe at the decisions made against his team.
Speaking to the press about the disciplinary record, he said: “It’s been because the rules at the beginning of the season when we were punished, then after 15 games they were very different. So they resolved them.
“So hopefully next season we’ll have some new rules for some games and then change them again. That would be great, if possible. Especially for all the teams, the same rules, at least.”
It’s a clear dig at those decisions being made in the Premier League, which may well have cost Arsenal at points in the season.
Arsenal’s disciplinary record in the Premier League 2024/25 so far
Arsenal have clearly had an issue when it comes to discipline this season, with some decisions going against them.
Some have been unfortunate, with the Rice red card coming as something of a surprise, along with the overturned decision against Lewis-Skelly.
Beyond that, though, they have still picked up five yellow cards, the second-most in the Premier League this season.
It has put them in tough positions in games, while they have been a bit leaner when it comes to yellow cards – sitting in the bottom five for them with just 62.
| Yellow cards | Red cards |
|---|---|
| 62 | 5 |
It suggests that Arsenal have had some issues with the decisions going against them, whether that’s something that is out of their hands or something they can improve on, is down to Arteta to decide.
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