There is no discipline issue at Arsenal despite the club suffering their 15th red card under Mikel Arteta in their win at Wolves, according to Ian Wright.
The Gunners moved up to fifth in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win at Molineux thanks to centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes' third goal of the current league campaign.
But namesake Martinelli was shown a bizarre red card - the first of his professional career - for two bookable offences in the same passage of play in the second half.
In an astonishing five seconds, the 20-year-old tried to stop Wolves from taking a quick throw-in and pushed over Daniel Podence before haring back up the pitch in pursuit of Chiquinho, who he also sent tumbling.
It means the Brazilian forward joined Magalhaes as well as midfielders Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in being sent off already in 2022, while taking the club's number of red card since Arteta's reign began in December 2019 to 15.
That is seven more than Southampton, who are the next Premier League side on the list with eight in the same timeframe, but ex-striker Wright - who scored 185 goals for the club - does not believe there is an issue.
Asked whether he was concerned about Arsenal's red card record under Arteta, Wright told Premier League Productions via The Metro after the game: 'Not really, especially when you look at this one and you look at what Xhaka has done.
'Yeah, 15 sounds like a lot… well it is a lot! But at the same time, you look at them and we're not talking about players that are flying in and doing silly challenges and stuff like that.
'This here was a natural reaction from him, he's gone to push him and then the next one he's fouled him. It's not malicious stuff.
'But they are red cards and hopefully it doesn't tot up to end up costing them. Yeah, 15 is a lot, but I wouldn't say there is a disciplinary problem.
'I think that's what people will try and say, but there isn't.'
However, it was an excellent result for the Gunners, who took advantage of Manchester United and Tottenham slipping up earlier in the week.
Ralf Rangnick's men could only manage a draw at Burnley, while north London rivals Spurs suffered a shock defeat at home to Southampton.
And Wright insists his former side should prioritise results over performances to keep among the Champions League-chasing pack, but has backed West Ham - who are one point ahead of Arsenal having played two games more - to claim fourth spot.
'It's majorly significant because Arsenal are in a place where a lot of people didn't think they would be,' Wright added.
'When the season started, with the signings that Arsenal made, people were saying things like, 'He's a waste of money! Why have they spent so much money on him?!', and he's kind of got the team… when you consider how they started, three losses and bottom of the league, and then they started to get it going and the players started to find their feet.
'Now they're getting into a situation where other teams are slipping up, they're starting to find a little bit of form.
'That was a very, very good performance in respects of digging in and getting a result and now all Arsenal need to do is continue what they're doing, nick a few more goals and see if you can stay amongst it.
'There are people who are slipping up and that's all you can do. Just win your games, if it's 1-0 then it's 1-0. If you go somewhere and you're playing against the teams around you, as long as you don't lose, you stay amongst it and that's all Arsenal have to do now.'
But asked which club are favourites to secure the final Champions League spot, Wright replied: 'I'll say West Ham are favourites because West Ham are right there.'
kolonegooner
1
We have to be smarter as a group about this issue....Wreckless challenges, silly fouls ALL amount to cards ALSO I dont beleive the refs are in our favour at all ....i watch most EPL games and the fouls i see not being called or booked or acknowledged are a disgrace. Our youth get no protection from refs or they would not need to try and play a overly physical game.... i feel it for Saka mostly, they kick the crap out of him game in game out and hes offered little to no protection from the refs...just imagine if its cr7, he gets calls BEFORE he's fouled .... fkn joke
moacinrsu
0
15 is a lot of red cards Wrighty. There’s a discipline problem. Players need to be smarter about their actions and play the game properly instead of constantly hurting their team’s chances of winning each match.
I understand u but if u play football you won’t know when u will commit a foul sometimes u just have to do it, it Mike look stupid to others but at d same time bringing a player down can save ur team from losing. I don’t know if I’m making sense. Look at suarez against Ghana 2010 WC
toklmou
0
15 is a lot of red cards Wrighty. There’s a discipline problem. Players need to be smarter about their actions and play the game properly instead of constantly hurting their team’s chances of winning each match.
DanielKpagh
2
You spoke well until the part where you said West Ham are favourites for a top four finish, I don't agree with you on that one bit
Vimbeilop
0
He shouldn’t have pushed that guy Red cards picked by arsenal players can easily be avoided
Yeah I can agree with you bt refs are a pain in our flesh
SAMZIEEE
0
What do you mean, Gabinho didn't have a hot head to get that card, in fact the refs in the Epl are crap
He shouldn’t have pushed that guy Red cards picked by arsenal players can easily be avoided
Vimbeilop
0
I think it’s all emotions and desire The players have to find a way to keep their heads cool and control their emotions in the match
What do you mean, Gabinho didn't have a hot head to get that card, in fact the refs in the Epl are crap
SAMZIEEE
5
I think it’s all emotions and desire The players have to find a way to keep their heads cool and control their emotions in the match
voselmnosu
2
you have spoken very well my Legend Wright
lunekors
0
Cause board wanna make arteta happy