Which matches will William Saliba miss through suspension? | OneFootball

William Saliba received a red card for Arsenal against Bournemouth on Saturday, and he’s now set to serve a suspension for Mikel Arteta’s side.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card, as Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

So often the star of Arsenal’s back four, William Saliba didn’t make himself quite so popular with the fans on Saturday, picking up a red card in the first half of the Gunners’ defeat away to Bournemouth.

At the time, Mikel Arteta’s side were in a relatively good position in the game, with the scores level and the better chances mostly falling to the away side. But playing such a long period of the game with 10 men ultimately decided the outcome.

To make matters worse, Saliba will now have to serve a suspension, but he will at least be available against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Gabriel and William Saliba of Arsenal speak during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Red-card suspensions only count across all domestic competitions, not European competitions, so Saliba will serve his suspension against Liverpool next weekend.

Though it was a straight red card, the sending-off was for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, not for violent conduct, dissent, or a reckless challenge. As a result, it’s only a one-game ban, nothing more.

Saliba will be available against Shakhtar, then suspended against Liverpool, before returning for the following games against Preston North End in the League Cup and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Match Referee, Robert Jones interacts with Gabriel of Arsenal and teammates after showing a red card to their teammate, William Saliba (not pictured) during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Arsenal fans would probably prefer that Saliba could have served the ban against Shakhtar, rather than Liverpool, but those are the rules.