Mikel Arteta says talks between Arsenal and the PGMOL will take place ‘soon’ but insists they need to look at themselves rather than the officials to clean up their red card problems.
Gabriel Martinelli became the 15th player sent off during Arteta’s Arsenal reign last time out at Wolves, a total that is seven more than the nearest club to them in the disciplinary table.
Martinelli was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver in bizarre circumstances for two yellows in quick succession and will be suspended for Brentford’s visit to the Emirates on Saturday.
‘Not yet,’ Arteta said, when asked if he has spoken to referee’s body the PGMOL about the decisions they feel have gone against them.
‘That’s happening soon but obviously we have reported the opinion and the lack of understanding of the decision.’
Martinelli’s sending off divided opinion, though was correct according to the laws of the game.
Arteta said: ‘I have so many videos that people have sent me [from] over the years with different actions and how it happened. I gave my opinion at the end of the match and there is nothing we can do about it now.’
Going forward though, Arteta reiterated that his players cannot afford to keep picking up red cards and hopes they have now not earned themselves a reputation for being ill-disciplined amongst officials.
‘I don’t want to think like that,’ Arteta said. ‘There have been various reasons, very different ones the way we picked up those red cads but somehow we have to stop it because it’s going to affect your performance and results for sure and that has to be our aim and our focus.
‘Don’t try to blame the refs. We have to believe the refs are going to do what they have to do and we have to do what we have to do and that’s it.’
Right back Takehiro Tomiyasu is in contention to return against Brentford following a niggling calf injury and goalkeeper Bernd Leno is available again after a bout of Covid.