If Sokratis Papastathopoulos receives a yellow card against Newcastle United on April 1st, he’ll receive a two-match suspension as a result.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Tom Cairney of Fulham shoots while under pressure from Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on January 1, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Tom Cairney of Fulham shoots while under pressure from Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on January 1, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

There have been some changes to the rules around the accumulation of yellow cards this season, making them more competition-specific. In the Premier League, it works as follows:

  • 5 yellow cards before the cut-off date after 19 league fixtures = 1 match ban
  • 10 yellow cards before the cut-off date after 32 league fixtures = 2 match ban
  • 15 yellow cards before the end of the season = 3 match ban

This season, the second cut-off date is after the conclusion of the next round of Premier League fixtures, during which Arsenal play Newcastle United. Gunners defender Sokratis currently has nine yellow cards, meaning one more in that game would result in a two-match ban.

That suspension would mean the Greek international missing Arsenal’s trips to Everton and Watford, two of the team’s toughest remaining league fixtures. Let’s hope he can restrain himself for 90 minutes.

Sokratis isn’t the only Premier League player at risk, with Philip Bardsley (Burnley), Luke Shaw (Manchester United) and Etienne Capoue (Watford) also listed as being one caution away from a suspension on the FA website.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news
Latest Arsenal injury updates and news