Mikel Arteta must be licking his lips after seeing new rule enforced during Liverpool’s defeat

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would’ve watched Liverpool lose to Brentford in the Premier League.

Arne Slot’s side were viewed as the favourites to win the title this season, but they have now suffered four defeats on the bounce.

That puts Arsenal in a really strong position, and we’re sure Arteta would’ve been delighted with the result at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday night.

However, we think the Arsenal manager would’ve been happier after seeing the referee enforce a new Premier League rule during the Liverpool game.

The eight-second rule was enforced during Liverpool’s defeat to Brentford

The Premier League introduced the eight-second rule before the start of the 2025/26 season.

Time-wasting has been a big issue in the English top-flight in recent years, and the decision makers finally decided to do something to address it.

With the new eight-second rule, goalkeepers will have to get rid of the ball within that time. If they don’t, the opponents will be awarded a corner. (BBC)

Referees have been reluctant to enforce that rule over the last few months, but in the dying moments of the game between Liverpool and Brentford, it was implemented.

After Caoimhin Kelleher held on to the ball for 13 seconds in stoppage time, referee Tim Robinson blew his whistle and pointed to the corner.

That could’ve saved the game for Liverpool, but the Reds failed to convert from that set-piece.

Brentford ended up winning the game 3-2.

Mikel Arteta will want the eight-second rule enforced in Arsenal games too

It was great to see referee Robinson laying down the law against Kelleher. It was the right implementation of the rule, which is something we haven’t seen regularly all season.

We hope it is a sign of things to come from referees, not just because it is the law, but also because it would benefit Arsenal massively.

Arteta’s side are the best team in the world in corners and set-pieces. They are a goal threat almost every time, and that is among the reasons why they are at the top of the Premier League table.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	ArsenalArsenal	8	6	1	1	15	3	12	19

We have seen teams employ different tactics to waste time when they take on Arsenal. With this new rule, not many goalkeepers will have the courage to take too long.

That will either force them to get rid of the ball quickly, which could lead to Arsenal winning back possession, or concede a corner, which is another headache altogether.

Arteta will be happy with either option, which is why we think he would’ve been thrilled to see the eight-second rule enforced on Saturday.