Mikel Arteta blasts Premier League for changing rules after twice punishing Arsenal this season

Gidibam Web3 weeks ago

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has raised fresh concerns over the consistency of Premier League officiating, suggesting that rules have changed mid-season following a string of early red cards for his side.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s weekend clash with Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta addressed his team’s disciplinary improvement after a turbulent start to the campaign, during which they received three red cards in the first half of the season.

“It’s been because the rules at the beginning of the season when we were punished, then after 15 games they were very different,” Arteta told reporters. “So they resolved them! Hopefully next season we’ll have some new rules for some games and then change them again. That would be great, if possible. Especially for all the teams — the same rules, at least.”

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When one reporter joked that “with VAR, anything could happen,” Arteta responded dryly: “No, well, hopefully not.”

Arsenal’s disciplinary troubles began as early as August when Declan Rice received a second yellow card against Brighton for time-wasting. Leandro Trossard followed in September with a red for the same offence during a narrow loss to Manchester City.

The Gunners’ third league dismissal came in the reverse fixture against Bournemouth, where William Saliba was sent off after a VAR review upgraded his yellow card for a foul on Evanilson to red. Their fourth red card came in January when teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly was dismissed against Wolves. While that decision was initially upheld by VAR, the ban was later overturned. However, Lewis-Skelly did receive a subsequent red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity against West Ham.

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After the Wolves match, a furious Arteta told Sky Sports, “I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you. Because it is that obvious. I don’t think my words are going to help.”

Despite domestic challenges, Arsenal have maintained a cleaner disciplinary record in Europe. They now turn their attention to the Champions League, where they trail Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 heading into Wednesday’s quarter-final second leg at the Parc des Princes.

The winner of the Arsenal-PSG tie will go on to face either Barcelona or Inter Milan in the final, adding extra weight to a week that could define the Gunners’ season.