What Howard Webb did during Arsenal’s VAR check explained amid William Saliba red card call

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Arsenal’s habit of picking up red cards was in the spotlight yet again in the side’s recent Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

The Gunners had already seen Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard dismissed in the competition this season, with the pair delaying the restart, which resulted in a sending-off.

There was plenty of frustration from Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal faithful over those decisions, leading to some ire with refereeing decisions.

Those grievances won’t have been eased much by their latest clash with Bournemouth, which saw William Saliba pick up a red card for a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

The Frenchman pulled down Evanilson after a shocking pass back by Trossard, which referee Rob Jones only deemed as a yellow card on first viewing.

VAR suggested the official should look at the pitch side screen for another look, which overturned the caution to a red card.

There were some clear shots of PGMOL chief Howard Webb in the stands, with his activity confusing some spectators at home.

• READ MORE: Bournemouth captain makes interesting claim about Arsenal after William Saliba’s red card

What Howard Webb was doing during Bournemouth vs Arsenal VAR check

PGMOL chief Webb was spotted in the stands for Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth, seemingly overseeing the performance of his officials in the match.

Many supporters appeared perplexed when the former referee was seen with a radio device in his right ear.

However, it has been revealed that Webb had been listening to the VAR communications but had no way of interjecting into the proceedings on the pitch.

Explaining it on BBC’s Match of the Day, Alan Shearer said: “You can see Howard Webb there, he’s simply listening to the comms from the match officials that all broadcasters do and of course he’s had no impact or input on the decision at all.”

It leaves Arteta with some key decisions to make surrounding his team for Liverpool in the next Premier League clash, while Shakhtar Donetsk come first in the Champions League.

Arsenal’s red card record is costing them

It’s clear that at this stage, Arsenal’s disciplinary record is starting to hurt them when it comes to the title race.

The Gunners have dropped points in three of their eight matches in the Premier League, all of which have been in games where they have a man sent off.

There has been some fortune that the red cards haven’t cost them even more, given Rice missed out on a North London Derby that ended in a narrow win and Trossard’s suspension was served in the EFL Cup.

However, with Saliba now set to miss the huge clash with Liverpool next week, there are some key decisions to make that may well influence the title race yet again.