Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates in the Premier League this weekend and Alan Shearer believes the Gunners will have to show discipline to challenge for the title
Alan Shearer has warned Arsenal they must fix their discipline issues that have seen them shown three red cards this season, or risk falling out of the title race.
The Gunners saw William Saliba sent off in defeat to Bournemouth as Mikel Arteta watched his team drop points for the third time after going down to 10 men. The Frenchman was judged to be last man after VAR intervened in controversial circumstances but Shearer dismissed that as an excuse.
The former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United striker believes the Gunners threatened to land themselves in trouble again during their win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Shearer reckons White was subsituted for fear he would be brandished with a red.
The pundit commended Arsenal’s attitude but called on them to show greater discipline if they hope to achieve success this term
So far this season, Arsenal have had three Premier League matches where they have been shown a red card, and with nine points available, they’ve only taken two points,” said Shearer speaking to Betfair. “Whether you agree with the red card decisions or not, that must change.
“You can’t continue to play over an hour in games with ten men. Even in this week’s Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk, with Ben White ’s yellow card in the first half, they took him off at half-time out of fear he could be sent off.
It could be a combination of pressure and being too pumped up for games which is causing players to be sent off. I like that they’ve got a bit of a bite about them, they don’t like being beaten and when it doesn’t go their way they come together – that’s a good trait to have.
But you’ve got to be disciplined in what you’re doing, and they were told when the referees went around the clubs before a ball was kicked this season to explain the rules, and what they will be clamping down on.
“It hasn’t happened to all the other teams, so it must be an issue of ill-discipline at Arsenal. Going forwards, that must change otherwise they will be out of the title race before they know it.
Arsenal face Liverpool in a top-of-the-table clash in the Premier League this weekend. The Reds top the division after eight matches and have enjoyed their best start to a season under the tutelage of new boss Arne Slot.
