If Mikel Arteta needs solace regarding his team’s poor disciplinary record this season the Arsenal manager could look back to the Arsène Wenger era. The Frenchman – who celebrated his 75th birthday this week – is remembered for his revolutionary approach to fitness and player nutrition that spelled the end for the infamous Tuesday drinking club. Yet each of the three Premier League titles he won featured at least three Arsenal red cards as they retained the fighting spirit associated with George Graham’s championship winning sides.
When Martin Keown was sent off against Derby on 29 September 2001 for two yellow cards – the first, Declan Rice take note, for “preventing a quick free-kick” – he was the third Arsenal player dismissed only seven matches into the league campaign. Arteta’s team haven’t quite matched that, but William Saliba’s red card in the defeat against Bournemouth in their eighth league match last weekend continued their record of dropping points this season only when reduced to 10 men.
