Mo Elneny was fortunate not to join Granit Xhaka in being sent off during Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley last night, a “confused” Sean Dyche has told the Clarets’ official website.
There was no shortage of damning statistics during what must have been another miserable Monday morning for Gunners fans.
Arsenal have now suffered four successive home defeats for the first time since 1959, their worst start to a season in 39 years. The latest was witnessed by 2,000 less-than-impressed supporters at a traumatised Emirates Stadium.
Last night was also the first time Burnley have beaten Arsenal in the Premier League. The Clarets triumphed thanks to a fine Nick Pope display and a disastrous late own-goal from Arsenal skipper Pierre Emerick Aubemyang.
And, if you’ve got space for one more incriminating statistic, consider this. No team in the division has received more red cards than Arsenal since Arteta replaced Unai Emery 12 months ago.
Xhaka was the seventh Gunners player to be sent for an early bath during the Arteta era following a ridiculous display of indiscipline. In truth, Elneny was extremely lucky not to become number eight for a two-handed shove in the face of Burnley defender James Tarkowski.
“I’m confused because if the first one is a sending off, which by the rules it has to be, then the second one has to be too,” Dyche insisted. “Whether the ball is in play or not, you can’t go around pushing people in the face when you’re not even looking at the ball.
“I’m a big fan of VAR but they are making it so difficult for themselves because that is so simple and obvious.”
Elneny escaped with a booking following a VAR review.
And Arteta must have been breathing a sigh of relief after referee Graham Scott opted for yellow rather than red.
With Xhaka joining Thomas Partey on the sidelines, Arsenal are worryingly short of central midfielders heading into a gruelling set of festive fixtures.
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