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“Obviously there is an issue” – Arteta makes huge admission over Arsenal disciplinary problems

Arsenal suffered a crushing 2-0 defeat against AFC Bournemouth over the weekend, denting their Premier League title credentials as Liverpool and Manchester City above them claimed three points to move clear.

The Gunners were shown a red card in the first half when William Saliba pulled down Evanilson as he raced clear on goal.

Arsenal will rue the red card to Saliba, which cost them this game. It has been a recurring theme in the games where they have dropped points this season.

Arsenal have dropped points in three of their eight Premier League games this season. They have had a man sent off in all three of those matches.

They drew with Manchester City last month, and Leandro Trossard had received his marching orders for kicking the ball away as a free-kick was about to be taken. Weeks before, it was Declan Rice against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that it is an issue they must work on as they prepare to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League.

Discussing whether his team has a disciplinary issue, the Spaniard said (via Football London): “Well, I mean, playing with ten men, obviously there is an issue. The truth is when you analyse the three very different actions and the outcome of them, the reasons are very different.

“Regardless of that, we cannot continue to play with ten men, especially at this level. And you see how struggling all the teams have to win football matches.

“When you want to do it against tem men for 65 minutes, the task becomes almost impossible. So, we need to eradicate that. It’s clear why, the reason and how, it doesn’t matter. We have to focus, and it has to happen.”

Arsenal fans will be hoping the team can bounce back from this loss as they bid to make a deep run in Europe and challenge for the Premier League as they have done over the past two seasons.

They can make their fans forget about the horrendous loss with a win over the Ukrainian giants tomorrow before a heavyweight clash against Liverpool next Sunday.

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