Arsenal top Premier League fair play table thanks to refereeing changes

Arsenal are top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League and also top of the Premier League fair play table, with Mikel Arteta crediting changes in refereeing and urging his players to maintain their discipline.

Arsenal have accumulated the fewest disciplinary points in the league, with 22 points made up entirely of yellow cards, placing them ahead of Manchester City and Leeds United, who both sit on 27 points.

The figures mark a clear shift from last season, when Arsenal were shown three red cards in their opening eight league matches.

Those dismissals involved Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba, with Rice and Trossard sent off for kicking the ball away and delaying the restart against Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City.

They have not received any red cards so far this season.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s home match against Brighton, Arteta said he believes a change in how the laws are being applied has played a role in Arsenal’s improved red card record.

“I think the rules are different now,” he said.

“So, we paid a big price with that (delaying the restart) rule, and hopefully that stays away and we continue to play with 11 players.”

Arteta also reflected on Rice’s dismissal at the Emirates Stadium in August last year, admitting the manner of that performance left a lasting impression.

“I remember it very well,” he said. “I was very hacked off in the manner that we played with 10 men. So hopefully it is going to be very different this time.”

Asked about Arsenal’s position at the top of the fair play standings, Arteta said he was unaware of the statistic but welcomed it.

“I didn’t know. That is good, very good.”

Arsenal’s record leaves them ahead of several direct rivals, including Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool, while Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea sit at the bottom of the table.

Premier League Fair Play table