Mikel Arteta has not been impressed with the refereeing in the Premier League so far this season
Mikel Arteta has joked that he has told his players “we will play without the ball” after two red cards in the last three Premier League games for kicking the ball away.
Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton for nudging the ball away from Joel Veltman as the Brighton man looked to take a quick free-kick. Then, against Manchester City, Leandro Trossard saw red when he fouled Bernardo Silva and proceeded to punt the ball downfield after the referee’s whistle had gone.
Both can be described as slightly harsh, given the circumstances and seeing red for kicking the ball away does seem soft. But, by the letter of the law, the red cards were correctly brandished.
Will Arsenal learn from it moving forward? Manager Mikel Arteta was incensed by both decisions and was seen hugging Trossard as he walked off the Etihad Stadium pitch.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “I prefer not to comment. I’ve seen it and it’s that obvious so I’ll leave it to you guys. I was already in big trouble trying to solve what happened on the pitch. It’s not my problem to solve what happens off the pitch.”
During his press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup third-round clash with Bolton Wanderers, Arteta was asked about it again. But he continued to remain tight-lipped.
When asked about consistency in the game, he added: “I reflected post match and it’s the same reflection today. It’s the same answer as I gave. I was very clear about it I think.”
Arteta was then quick to correct a journalist when he was asked about two players being sent off in the last month for kicking the ball away. “For passing it you mean,” he said.
And when asked if he had spoken to his players about not kicking the ball away in the future, Arteta was in a playful mood. He responded: “Yeah I think so. Don’t touch the ball. We will play without the ball.”
It’s clear what the Gunners boss thinks of the red cards shown to his side and he has already indicated that he will be watching closely to see what happens in other matches. “I’m expecting 100 Premier League games to be, 10 against 11 or nine vs 10 this season. Let’s see,” he admitted on Sunday.