Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has publicly acknowledged a growing concern that could derail the club’s Premier League title aspirations—discipline on the pitch. The alarm bells were starkly rung in the recent Champions League encounter against Shakhtar Donetsk. During the first half itself, right-back Ben White was shown a yellow card, prompting Arteta to make a decisive move. “White needed to be removed at half-time. We have played enough with 10 men in the recent period,” stated Arteta, emphasizing the team’s recurrent challenge with maintaining a full squad on the field.
Indeed, discipline issues have loomed large over Arsenal’s campaign this season. In the first eight rounds of their league journey, Arsenal found themselves down to ten men on three occasions. This unsettling trend reflects a larger disciplinary crisis that has been festering since Arteta assumed managerial duties in late 2019. In that span, Arsenal has been on the receiving end of 18 red cards in the Premier League, a statistic not befitting a club with title ambitions.
Arteta conveyed the urgency of the situation to both his players and the wider football community this week. “We can’t continue to play with 10 men, especially at this level. You see how we struggled,” he passionately remarked. He was unequivocal about his resolve: “We need to eradicate it, it’s clear. Why or how, it does not matter. We have to focus that it has to happen anyhow.”
The immediate concern for Arsenal—and a stiff test of their resolve—will come on Sunday. The Gunners are set to face Liverpool in a crucial clash at the Emirates Stadium, a meeting that many have billed as the standout fixture of the league’s ninth round.
. Liverpool currently sits at the summit of the Premier League standings, one point clear of second-placed Manchester City and four points ahead of Arsenal in third.
Sunday’s game is pivotal. A win for Liverpool could see them extend their lead over Arsenal to seven points—a gap that, while not insurmountable at this early stage of the season, could nevertheless impose significant psychological pressure on Arteta’s side. Moreover, a defeat would mean Arsenal risk slipping further behind the reigning champions, Manchester City, who are expected to cruise past a struggling Southampton side this weekend.
Arteta is all too aware that Sunday’s game represents more than just three points; it’s a critical moment that could define their title challenge. The prospect of falling further behind City, perhaps by as many as six points, is not something Arsenal can afford to overlook. In a season where every point counts, the margin for error is thinning rapidly for the North London club.
As Arsenal prepare for this high-stakes battle, the importance of discipline cannot be overemphasized. The tactical intricacies, the teamwork, the individual brilliance—all could be rendered moot if the team does not finish matches with a full complement of players. The ability to remain composed and avoid unnecessary bookings could very well be Arsenal’s key to unlocking their potential and mounting a serious title challenge.
The ramifications of Arsenal’s disciplinary lapses could extend beyond immediate match concerns. A sustained lack of discipline could undermine the team’s morale and cohesion over the long haul, jeopardizing not just their Premier League ambitions, but also their performance in other competitions.
While Arteta has made it clear that addressing this issue is a priority, the task is far from simple. Instilling discipline requires not just tactical adjustment but also a cultural shift within the squad—a challenge that requires both time and deliberate effort. As Arsenal aim to solidify their position among England’s elite, how they respond to this challenge may very well determine their fate in this tightly contested season.
The coming weeks will serve as a crucial litmus test for Arsenal’s resolve and Arteta’s management. As they face Liverpool on Sunday, the Emirates Stadium will be watching keenly to see if Arsenal can not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk in their renewed pursuit of discipline and, ultimately, of Premier League glory.
