Things need to change - Alan shearer lifts lid on Arsenal's red card record in Bournemouth defeat

Things need to change - Alan shearer lifts lid on Arsenal's red card record in Bournemouth defeat

Evans Ousuru 11:00 - 20.10.2024

Arsenal's latest dismissal will see William Saliba miss the mouth-watering clash against Liverpool

Former England Striker Alan Shearer has said things need to change at Arsenal if they have to win the English Premier League title for the first time in more than two decades.

His sentiments come after the Gunners received a third red card in just eight matches, the highest number of red cards a title-winning team has accumulated since Leicester City's title heroics in the 2015-16 season.

French defender William Saliba received his marching orders in the hour mark of Saturday's 2-0 loss against Bournemouth, as the Mikel Arteta coached outfit suffered their first loss of the season to put a dent to their title hopes.

"It has to change," the football pundit said as reported by the BBC.  "Quite clearly they’re not going to get enough points if it doesn’t. You’ve seen the games it’s happened already this season, with the two draws and this defeat".

Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice have suffered similar feats previously although the duo's sending off was necessitated by a silly second yellow card. On both occasions, the gunners salvaged a point each against Manchester City and Brighton respectively.

Arsenal's latest dismissal is a blow because Saliba will miss the home game against current Premier League leaders Liverpool in October 27. The Gunners are currently one point behind the Reds in the table but should Arne Slot's side win against Chelsea on Sunday and then beat Arsenal, they would move seven clear of Arteta's side.

Champions Manchester City could also move clear of Arsenal, their closest rivals in the past two seasons, with victories over winless clubs Wolves and Southampton in their next two.

"Playing for 65 minutes with 10 men at this level is an impossible task. It's an accident waiting to happen, not to get the points," said Arteta.

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