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Arsenal only side to commit under 300 fouls this season

Arsenal have committed fewer fouls than any other side in the league, not that that is reflected in their card record.

Referee Stuart Atwell (L) shows a red card to Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz (R) to send him off for fouling Chelsea's English striker Tammy Abraham during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on January 21, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)
Referee Stuart Atwell (L) shows a red card to Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz (R) to send him off for fouling Chelsea’s English striker Tammy Abraham during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on January 21, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

Arsenal have committed 279 fouls this season in the Premier League and are the only side in the division to have committed fewer than 300 fouls.

The next ‘best’ side is Everton on 303 with Manchester City on 307 and Leicester on 311.

Premier League fouls 20/21

Fulham413
Sheffield Utd372
Manchester Utd369
Tottenham363
Chelsea360
Leeds United354
Wolves352
Brighton350
Aston Villa345
Southampton338
Crystal Palace330
Liverpool322
West Brom320
West Ham319
Newcastle Utd318
Burnley318
Leicester City311
Manchester City307
Everton303
Arsenal279

source

When it comes to yellow cards, however, Arsenal only need 6.5 fouls to pick one up, placing them fifth in the table which is, it should be noted, a significant improvement on recent seasons when Arsenal picked up a card, on average, every 4-or-so fouls and topped the charts.

At one point in the 19/20 season, Arsenal were getting a yellow every 3.2 fouls while Liverpool needed over 10 and Leicester over 14.

Fouls per yellow card

Newcastle Utd5.6
Leicester City6.0
Aston Villa6.2
Everton6.3
Arsenal6.5
Sheffield Utd6.5
Fulham7.4
Manchester Utd7.4
Leeds United7.5
Wolves7.8
Crystal Palace7.9
Southampton7.9
Tottenham7.9
West Ham8.0
West Brom8.0
Burnley8.2
Manchester City
8.5
Brighton9.0
Liverpool9.2
Chelsea9.5

Arsenal really come into their own when it comes to red cards. They’ve had five this season, far more than any other side.

On average, Arsenal pick up a red card every 55.8 fouls whereas Leicester, Burnley, Manchester City haven’t had one at all this season and Manchester United have managed to average one red card every 369 fouls.

Fouls per red card

fouls per redreds
Arsenal55.85
West Brom80.04
Brighton116.73
Sheffield Utd124.03
Fulham137.73
Everton151.52
Newcastle Utd159.02
Crystal Palace165.02
Southampton169.02
Aston Villa172.52
Chelsea180.02
Tottenham181.52
West Ham319.01
Wolves352.01
Leeds United354.01
Manchester Utd369.01
Leicester City3110
Burnley3180
Manchester City3070
Liverpool3220

Now, I can hear you in the back.

Yes, I know it depends on what type of fouls are being made, but are we really going to sit here and agree that Arsenal are a dirtier team than Burnley, to take a random, kicky example?  Or Leeds? Or Leicester? Or even Tottenham who are one of the dirtiest, cheatiest teams in the league?

No, of course we’re not.