Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal has a serious problem with red cards that could ultimately cost them in the Premier League title race with Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Gunners picked up their third red card of the season on Saturday in just their eighth league game, with William Saliba sent off at Bournemouth. The Frenchman's dismissal proved costly, with Mikel Arteta's side falling to a 2-0 defeat - their first loss of the season.

It also means Saliba will be missing for the visit of Liverpool on Sunday, which could prove to be a pivotal game in the race for this season's title. Arteta has suggested Arsenal could launch an appeal against the decision though, especially after Tosin Adarabioyo avoided a red at Anfield.

Regardless of whether their appeal is successful or not, Arsenal's disciplinary issues have proven a problem this season. They've failed to win any of the three games so far in which they have gone down to 10 men, dropping seven points in the process.

It's far from a new problem either. As per BBC Sport, since Arteta took charge in December 2019, Arsenal has picked up 18 red cards - five more than anyone else in the same period. Liverpool has picked up just six in that time, while City have been shown nine reds.

Giving his thoughts on the Gunners' disciplinary record, Carragher said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football: "The biggest problem isn't the points, it's how often they are getting red cards. It has got to stop.

"Liverpool and City have won games in the same situation. You have to ask if the setup is right in those games."

Having lost at Bournemouth, Arsenal now finds itself four points behind Liverpool ahead of Sunday's meeting, and three behind City. Arne Slot's side will therefore have the chance to move seven points clear of the Gunners when they head to the Emirates this weekend.

Not only is Saliba set to be missing through suspension, but Arteta also has injury doubts over Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber after the pair were not seen in training on Monday ahead of their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. Martin Odegaard will be missing once again, having picked up an ankle injury while on international duty.