STATS show that Arsenal are actually treated LENIENTLY by referees, despite their red card woes.

The Gunners have picked up THREE red cards in just eight Premier League games so far this season – dropping points on each occasion.

5

5

Advertisement

William Saliba’s sending off against Bournemouth on Saturday was the 18th red card Arsenal have been shown in the league since Mikel Arteta took over in 2019 – SIX more than any other side.

Should they pick up another this term, it will be Arsenal’s 108th red card in the Prem era – a joint-record alongside Everton.

But despite complaints from fans over whether they are being treated harshly by the officials, new research from talkSPORT BET has shown that Arsenal are in fact given much more leeway than their title rivals this season.

No team in the traditional ‘big six’ is able to make more fouls than Arsenal before finding themselves in the book, according to the stats.

The Gunners are averaging 5.39 fouls per yellow card, a rate that sees them sit as the fourth most leniently refereed team in the league – as far as yellow cards go.

By comparison, title rivals Man City are the most harshly punished side in the league – picking up a yellow card for every 2.83 fouls.

Chelsea aren’t far behind with referees choosing to brandish a yellow card every 2.93 fouls for the Stamford Bridge outfit.

While Spurs get away with 4.95 fouls and Liverpool manage 5.28 breaches before they find themselves punished.

5

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Arsenal have made 97 fouls this season, compared to Man City’s 51 with both teams picking up the same number of yellow cards (18).

Of course, Man City’s possession-based football means they are more likely to commit cynical fouls to prevent counter-attacks against them and are, in turn, more likely to be booked despite committing less fouls.

It’s worth noting that two of Arsenal’s red cards have come from cumulative yellows in the game too, with Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard suffering the same fate.

And both players were issued with their second yellows for non-fouling incidents, with the pair both penalised for delaying the restart.

Arsenal are also the only team in the ‘big six’ to receive any red cards this season – of which they have three.

Bruno Fernandes was shown red for Manchester United against Spurs, but that decision has since been retrospectively overturned.

Perhaps the underlying data shows that Arsenal aren’t being mistreated by officials – as so many fans would suggest – and are instead in a position where they need to just dial back their full-throttle defending.

5

But their disciplinary record could be a positive thing, at least it is if you’re Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners boss has claimed that his team have been”galvanised” by Saliba’s red card at the weekend and are ready to use it in their favour.

Speaking ahead of their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, Arteta said: “It’s absolutely galvanised the group.

“They’ll show their teeth and fight against the situation. They say: ‘OK, this is what we have to play, how we have to do it. We’re going to do it’.

“But playing with ten men, obviously there is an issue. We just cannot continue to do this.

“We’ve also had two different periods where we had a lot of reds and then not any. Now we have had three in a row.

“But we can’t continue to play with ten at this level. The task becomes almost impossible.

“So, we must eradicate that. Let’s take that pain and use it tomorrow. It has to happen.”

5

Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth

By Alex Crook

TEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.

Advertisement

The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.

But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.

Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.

Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.

Advertisement

Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.

DAVID RAYA – 5
Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.

BEN WHITE – 4
England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.

WILLIAM SALIBA – 3
Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.

Advertisement

GABRIEL – 5
Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.

RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.

THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.

DECLAN RICE – 5
Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.

Advertisement

RAHEEM STERLING – 4
Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.

MIKEL MERINO – 5
Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.

KAI HAVERTZ – 5
The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.

Advertisement

SUBSTITUTES
Jakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4

Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5

Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) – N/A

Ethan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) – N/A

Advertisement

Lando Norris has conceded that “driving like a muppet” at the start of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix ultimately led to the controversial battle with Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver made a lunge up the inside of Norris into the first corner, forcing both wide and allowing Charles Leclerc through into the lead on the way to an eventual dominant victory.

While Verstappen’s move could have brought repercussions for its forceful nature, the fact it was on lap one meant the race stewards dismissed the case.

When the duo met again at the end of the race with Norris trying to take the final podium spot, the three-time champion again pushed his title rival wide and, despite both running off-track, it was the McLaren that was penalised for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

While much ire was directed towards the decision post-race, Norris held his hands up for leaving space for Verstappen to attack into the first corner, which eventually led to the late-race tussle.

“Turn one, I didn’t do the correct thing but I feel like what happened at the end of the race was more on my side. Otherwise, it was a good battle, and I enjoyed it. We just didn’t come out on top because I didn’t do a good enough job.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, battle into turn 1

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

“If I defended better in turn one and wasn’t driving like a muppet, then I should have led after Turn 1, and we shouldn’t have this conversation in the first place…”

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was very careful not to direct anger towards Verstappen in his comments after the race, underlining his frustration was with the stewards and the state of F1’s rules.

Norris was also full of respect for his rival, insisting: “I think Max drove very well.

“It’s very hard to do what we’re doing, and it’s hard when you’re side by side, you’re completely one side of the track to guess where your braking marker is.

“You’re going quicker than you have before because you use the battery, the tyres are older, there’s different bumps, there’s a lot of dirt, we’re battling and fighting hard… so I respect the battle that we had, it was a good one, it was enjoyable, I think it was respectful.”

Several North American celebrities have invested in English Football League and Premier League clubs in recent years, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership of Wrexham the most notable.

NFL legend and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady became a minority owner of Birmingham City last season and former NFL defensive end JJ Watt became a shareholder at Burnley in May 2023, while actor and producer Michael B Jordan invested in Bournemouth at the end of 2022.

American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook and actor Will Ferrell are also minority stakeholders in Leeds United.

Speaking to Talksport on Tuesday, Palios continued: “At the moment, if you’re looking at that particular group of people, the US market is very attractive.

“You’ve got the example of Wrexham recently, you’ve got the World Cup coming up there, you’ve got 85 million Americans watch English football.

“There’s actually a gap in the market which just happens to coincide with where we are in terms of development and taking it to the next stage.”

Since Palios and his wife bought a controlling interest in Tranmere from former owner Peter Johnson, the club have been relegated to the National League but bounced back to win promotion through to League One.

However, they were relegated back to League Two during the Covid-interrupted 2019-20 season and have remained there since, sitting 16th so far this season.

Palios, 71, made more than 280 appearances in two spells with Tranmere during his playing career.

Three FIA Formula 3 race winners are among numerous drivers from the series to step down a level of the single-seater ladder to enter next month’s Macau Grand Prix.

F3 cars have traditionally contested the Macau World Cup event, but organisers revealed earlier this year that they would swap to Formula Regional machinery for the 2024 edition on 17 November, saying it was “a natural consequence of the evolution of the junior single-seater landscape”. 

Several F3 frontrunners were unimpressed by the move at the time, with series runner-up Gabriele Mini among those believing the event could suffer as a result.

However, the change has not stopped a host of this year’s F3 racers from appearing on the 27-strong entry list that has now been announced, and these drivers include championship frontrunners Oliver Goethe and Dino Beganovic.

Red Bull junior Goethe finished seventh in the standings after foregoing his slim chance to take the title by skipping the Monza finale and instead replacing F1-bound Franco Colapinto with MP Motorsport in F2. He will now continue with the Dutch squad for another Macau attack after taking ninth in last year’s GP. 

Ferrari Driver Academy member Beganovic, meanwhile, will again race for Prema, and rounding out the F3 victors so far signed up is Mari Boya (Pinnacle), who was fourth in Macau in 2023. 

Mari Boya, Campos Racing, Sebastian Montoya, Campos Racing and Oliver Goethe, Campos Racing

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Advertisement

Other F3 competitors entered include 2022 British F4 champion and McLaren junior Alex Dunne, who moves across to Prema from MP, and Noel Leon (Pinnacle).

Multiple current Formula Regional European Championship drivers have also been confirmed, including James Wharton (ART) and Tuukka Taponen (R-ace), who are second and third in the points ahead of this weekend’s Monza finale.

Meanwhile, progressing to Formula Regional competition will be Italian F4 dominator Freddie Slater, who is this week tackling the final shootout for the Silverstone Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.

Alongside the FIA F3 and FRECA drivers and F4 graduates, Super Formula Lights race winners Rikuto Kobayashi and Jin Nakamura (both with TOM’S) are among a Japanese contingent tackling the event. 

“I am really happy to see so many of the most talented junior drivers and teams committed to the FIA FR World Cup,” said FIA single-seater committee president Emanuele Pirro. 

“This event has always been one of the toughest and more rewarding challenges on the pathway for young drivers as they progress towards the ultimate goal of Formula 1 and our other FIA World Championships, and to have so many different former champions of F4 and Formula Regional coming to Macau really brings the spirit of this historic race.”

There are still two unconfirmed drivers on the entry, with both MP and PHM having a seat available.

TRAINERS, jockeys and TV presenters were ‘fearing the worst’ after a £3million horse caused carnage when getting spooked in a morning gallop.

Via Sistina, a Group 1-winning filly for English trainer George Boughey just last year, ran loose for three laps after throwing jockey James McDonald to the floor in a dramatic series of events.

4

4

Advertisement

4

4

The horse, who was sold from Boughey’s yard for £2.8m last December, is preparing for Saturday’s £2.5m Cox Plate race at Moonee Valley in Australia.

THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE

Advertisement

The only place to get Templegate’s tips first – and at the best prices – is by joining Sun Racing’s brilliant Members Enclosure.

Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winning team and get…

• Four free racing tickets, four times a year – worth £300
• Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
• Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
• Exclusive insights from Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner
• VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
• New customer offer with Coral

Become a member today for just £1*

*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.

SIGN UP NOW

18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk

Advertisement

She took to the track for a public workout on Tuesday but hope turned to fear when she got spooked by some of her equipment.

After unshipping McDonald, track workers and even TV presenter Amy Yargi jumped in to try to calm the filly and get her to stop.

But it proved futile, with Via Sistina galloping the track as a loose bandage and other equipment flapped between her legs.

Fortunately she was caught around three laps later and, luckily, completely unscathed from the almighty scare.

Trainer Chris Waller said: “When I first saw it, I feared the worst and that something tragically might have gone wrong.

“That hasn’t happened, she’s safe. She doesn’t have any hair missing. There’s no blood, no skin off. Her heart rate’s back down.

“While it’s disappointing, I’m grateful the horse is 100 per cent.

“It’s not ideal but it’s great theatre, one I didn’t want to be part of.

“She’d normally be having a quiet gallop on Thursday. That’ll be abandoned if it’s not required.

“She’ll just have very light cantering and a trip to the beach to let her chill out.”

While jockey McDonald added: “She was working brilliantly and obviously got tangled up there with a loose bandage and tripped herself over.

“I’ve got a little bit of a sore shoulder as you’d probably expect falling that way. It could’ve been a lot worse.”

Punters were absolutely bowled over by the scenes.

One called it ‘one of the most remarkable racing moments of 2024’.

While another said: “Insane footage, how about the whiplash on James when he hits the turf.”

FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

The Republic of Ireland will be without Louise Quinn and Megan Connolly for their Euro 2025 play-off games against Georgia.

Centre-back Quinn has injured her hip while Lazio midfielder Connolly is out with a hamstring issue.

Republic of Ireland head coach Eileen Gleeson, who is already without several players through injury, has opted against calling up replacements.

Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan is suspended for Friday’s first leg while Megan Campbell (ankle), Jess Ziu (knee), Ruesha Littlejohn (Achilles) and Jamie Finn (knee) are all out.

The Republic of Ireland are aiming to qualify for the European Championship for the first time after making their World Cup debut last year.

Gleeson’s side are expected to beat Georgia, who are ranked nearly 100 places below them in 118th. After Friday’s first leg in Tbilisi, the Republic of Ireland host Georgia in Dublin on Tuesday (19:30 GMT).

Victory in the two-legged tie would set up a second-round play-off against Slovakia or Wales.

Next year’s Euros will take place in Switzerland between 2 and 27 July.