Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has voiced his discontent over the ‘strange’ decision to send off William Saliba during the Gunners’ unexpected defeat to Bournemouth. Saliba received the first red card of his professional career in the first half after being judged to have denied Evanilson a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The incident occurred near the center circle, where Saliba tripped Bournemouth’s record signing. Initially shown a yellow card by the referee, the decision was upgraded to a red following a VAR review, resulting in a significant turning point in the match. With the score still level when Saliba was dismissed, Bournemouth capitalized on the numerical advantage and secured a 2-0 victory, marking Arsenal’s first defeat of the Premier League season.
As a result of this loss, Arsenal now trails behind Liverpool and Manchester City, who both secured victories later in the weekend, leaving the Gunners four and three points adrift of their title rivals in the league standings.
Currently sidelined with an injury, Ødegaard commented on the match from a spectator’s perspective. He noted, “It’s easier to see the movements of every player, things like that, so I think I’ve been learning a lot from that.” He expressed his frustration at being unable to participate, adding that observing the game from afar provides valuable insights into team dynamics.
Regarding Saliba’s dismissal, Ødegaard believed a yellow card would have sufficed, aligning with the referee’s initial judgment. He found it perplexing that VAR would intervene to alter the decision, stating, “It’s done now though, so we have to move on and look at the next game.”
Looking forward, Ødegaard is eager for the upcoming clash in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk. He recalled facing Shakhtar while playing for Real Madrid and emphasized their experience in the tournament, calling it a crucial match for Arsenal.
On a personal note, Ødegaard updated fans on his recovery from an ankle injury, stating he has been diligently working towards a return. “I’m feeling better and better each day, but when it’s an ankle injury you have ups and downs as well,” he explained. He mentioned recent workouts, including sessions on an anti-gravity treadmill, which helped him regain mobility after a period of reduced activity.
After the Champions League fixture, Arsenal will face Liverpool in the Premier League, where they will have to cope without the influential Saliba. The match against Liverpool will be a significant test, as the Merseyside club has enjoyed a strong start to the season under new management.