Arsenal suffered a painful first defeat of the 2024/25 campaign after falling short to Bournemouth on match day eight.
Just as things looked to be going swimmingly for the Gunners, Mikel Arteta’s side were slammed back down to earth by Bournemouth.
The Cherries won 2-0 at the Vitality to end Arsenal’s undefeated start to the season, in a match that saw the visitors collect their third red card of the campaign already.
It was a wake up call if anything for Arteta, as the trip to Bournemouth saw the luck of grinding results with 10 men run out.
Three red cards in eight games for Arsenal
For all of the positive that has come from Arsenal’s resurgence under Arteta, the manager seems to have a game-management problem on his hands.
In only eight games this season, the Gunners have already picked up three red cards, with William Saliba being the latest to make the early walk.
The Frenchman was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity against Bournemouth, hauling Evanilson down close to the half way line.
It was a frustrating red card for the centre-back to pick up, seeing him collect a one match ban.
Saliba joins the unwanted club of avoidable red cards at Arsenal this term, following Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice.
The needless collection of red card offences is an issue that Arteta will have to solve promptly although, the Bournemouth defeat highlighted an even bigger problem for the manager.
Mikel Arteta got it wrong against Bournemouth
Against both Brighton and Manchester City when red cards were shown, Arteta was defending a lead, seeing the manager rightly opt for a more defensive approach.
This was not the case against the Cherries, as the score was at 0-0 at the time of Saliba’s dismissal.
Still, the Spaniard decided to set up with stability in mind, something that ultimately lost Arsenal the game as chances were limited to allow defending to take priority.
- READ MORE: Five things we learned as Arsenal’s unbeaten run ended at Bournemouth, Arteta gives up on player
It’s a concern when looking at the bigger picture, as the Gunners had to play for a win at Bournemouth, regardless of having 10 men or not.
For example, in the title race, Pep Guardiola would rarely be seen sitting back when the scoreline was level just because of the matter of having a man sent off.
Arteta’s naivety showed at the Vitality, as the boss played it far too safe in a game that his side were set up to fall short in, rather than fight for three points in.
Questions will be asked over whether the manager has the credentials to match Guardiola in the race for the Premier League title, with the defeat to Bournemouth flagging up the issue of playing it safe in an environment where risks should be taken.
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