Arteta caught off guard by Arsenal record and claims ‘rules are different now’

Mikel Arteta claimed he was unaware that his Gunners have the best disciplinary record in the Premier League after getting five red cards last season

Mikel Arteta claimed he was unaware that Arsenal topped the Fair Play League as well as the Premier League this Christmas. But a better disciplinary record this season – and avoiding a single red card – will play a huge role in his side’s bid to win a first title since 2004.

Declan Rice was sent off after 49 minutes at home to Brighton last season for getting a second yellow card for just nudging the ball away to stop a quick free quick free. The England midfielder was one five Arsenal stars to take early baths in the last campaign along with Leondro Trossard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino and William Saliba.

The Belgian also received a second caution against Chelsea also for kicking the ball away as Arteta had to answer criticism – including from Manchester City players – of practising “dark arts”.

This season the Gunners are better – or smarter and more street-wise. The combustible manager does not always keep his cool in the sidelines but his players are more in control.

READ MORE: William Saliba issues Arsenal with historic Quadruple challenge after Crystal Palace triumphREAD MORE: Team news from all 20 Premier League teams as Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool face issues

They only lost twice in all competitions to also top the Champions League table. And although they have had 22 bookings – including six in the stormy draw against 10-man Chelsea to be the first team to be fined – the Spaniard’s side have yet to have a man sent off this season. The bottom two in the table are London rivals Chelsea and Spurs. “I didn’t know,” said Arteta. “That is good, very good.”

After the dismissal of Rice against Brighton last season, the Gunners boss claimed he was “amazed, amazed, amazed” while even referee Chris Kavanagh could be heard on the audio saying: “I don’t like it, but he’s knocked the ball.”

Former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was sent off for kicking the ball away in frustration against Brighton in October and the Premier League has denied the threshold has been reduced.

Before hosting Albion on Saturday, the Spaniard said: “I think the rules are different now. So, we paid a big price with that rule, and hopefully that stays away and we continue to play with 11 players.

“I remember (Rice’s dismissal) very well. I was very hacked off in the manner that we played with ten men. So hopefully it is going to be very different this time.”

Arsenal dropped points last season against their next five opponents – after Brighton they face Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Chelsea. And Albion have won three at the Emirates Stadium in all competitions since April 2022 as well as home and away draws last season

“Well, obviously, it is a club that I admire a lot – and what they’ve done over the last 10 years is incredible,” added Arteta. “They have had different managers, and now Fabian (Hurzeler) has come in and brought some very different ideas as well. A lot of energy, a really, really committed team, and they look very, very together. They have a lot of quality, they can play in different ways, they have versatile players, so it will be a tough match.”

Kai Havertz is back in squad training and will back in “a matter of days”, Arteta has revealed. The German has been out since August with a knee injury which needed surgery.

Viktor Gyokeres, who was signed for £64m in the summer, has netted only five Premier League goals this season in Havertz’s enforced absence.

And Arteta said: “(He is) quite close. I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks. Let’s see in the next steps how he responds to that. But he is, again, a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I am really happy to have him back soon.”

Defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been out since suffering an adductor injury on Brazil duty last month but he has only returned to individual training.

“We have to wait and see,” added Arteta. “He hasn’t trained yet, so he’s still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible [he can be back], because we know the situation now we have in the backline.”

Join our new WhatsApp community_ and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our _Privacy Notice.