Partey Red Card Gets Arteta Concerned Over Arsenal’s Disciplinary Issues
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been left concerned by his side’s disciplinary record after Thomas Partey became the latest Gunner to be sent off in the Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool on Thursday.
Following Ghana’s elimination from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations at the group stages on Tuesday, Partey jetted off early to London and made the bench for the semi-final second leg against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
However, Diogo Jota’s brace saw Liverpool claim a 2-0 win and substitute Partey’s 15-minute cameo ended in another disappointment following two yellow cards in a three-minute spell.
Arsenal have now picked up 14 red cards in all competitions since Arteta took charge in December 2019, including three in their last four matches.
Arteta reckons Arsenal have to improve their discipline going forward.
"We've played the last three games with 10 men. At this level, that's extremely difficult to win football matches,” the Spaniard told Sky Sports after the game.
“We'll keep trying to do what we do, but there have been some decisions which haven't happened going the other way. Today is a good example as well.
"I regret I can't use him now. He made the effort to come and play, Emile [Smith Rowe] hasn't had one single training session, [Alexandre Lacazette] had a yellow card, we had to make a decision and decided to use him.
"I don't think [the red card was related to his travel from AFCON]."
Partey will miss Arsenal’s next game in the Premier League against Burnley this weekend.
