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WILLIAM SALIBA will miss Arsenal’s game against Liverpool in the English Premier Soccer League after the club decided NOT to appeal his red card.
Saliba, 23, was sent off for a last-man foul on Bournemouth striker Evanilson as he tried to cover a wayward Leandro Trossard back pass.
The centre-back was placed just beyond the halfway line when he brought down the Cherries ace in the middle of the pitch after 30 minutes.
On-field referee Rob Jones initially issued a yellow card for the offence.
However, VAR Jared Gillett summoned Jones over to the monitor to review the decision.
The yellow card was then replaced with a straight red to send Saliba for an early shower, with it deemed there was no covering defender and therefore he had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Arsenal went on to lose the game 2-0, with the controversial decision argued over by ex-ref Mark Halsey.
Manager Mikel Arteta had said the club were considering their options with regards to a potential appeal.
But Arsenal have now decided that the issue is not worth pressing, and have conceded the fight over the Frenchman’s suspension.
Saliba will miss one domestic match – next Sunday’s crunch clash against table-toppers Liverpool.
Had it been violent conduct, he would have received a three-game ban.
It was the third time this season the Gunners have seen a player sent off, with Declan Rice sent off against Brighton and Trossard sent off against Manchester City.
The three red cards in eight games means Arsenal have now had 18 red cards since Arteta took over in December 2019 – SIX more than any other team.
One more this season will be their 108th red card of the Premier League era – a joint-record alongside Everton. (www.thesun.co.uk)
Online Reporter