“We cannot continue to play with ten men” – Mikel Arteta Wants Arsenal to Play with More Focus and ‘Eradicate’ Red Cards

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called upon his players to play with more focus and to ensure they do not pick up a red card. Arteta’s comments came after the 10-man Gunners succumbed to their first defeat of the Premier League season against Bournemouth on Saturday, October 19.

Arsenal Loses 2-0 Against Bournemouth in Premier League

Premier League aspirants Arsenal suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on Matchday 8. The Gunners had a decent start to the game but found themselves on the back foot after William Saliba received a red card in the 30th minute. The Frenchman had to bring down Evanilson after the Bournemouth man went clean through on goal following a horrendous back pass from Leandro Trossard. The referee initially showed him a yellow card but the VAR convinced him to change it to a straight red.

Bournemouth made the most of their advantage in the 70th minute, with Ryan Christie applying a devastating finish to a well-worked set-piece routine. Nine minutes later, Justin Kluivert doubled Bournemouth’s money from the spot after David Raya brought down Evanilson inside the area. Playing with 10 men, Arsenal failed to put up a fight and accepted a demoralizing 2-0 defeat.

Mikel Arteta Wants His Team to Stop Picking up Red Cards

It was Arsenal’s third red card in eight games, and Arteta is eager to see a change.

In the pre-match press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League showdown with Shakhtar Donetsk, Arteta said:

“Playing with 10 men always is an issue. The trust is, when you analyze it, three different very actions and the outcome of them, the reasons are very different. 

“Regardless of that, we cannot continue to play with ten men at this level. We need to eradicate that, it’s clear. The reasons, how; it doesn’t matter. We have to focus.”

He added:

“We cannot continue to play with ten men, easier to say it then to get it done. Specific moments. Reacting, we have a defeat. Very specific conditions as well.

“Let’s move on, take that pain we have and use it tomorrow night.”

Third-placed Arsenal has amassed 17 points from eight matches in the Premier League. Liverpool currently sits at the summit with 21 points from eight games.