Arsenal defender and £45m attacker stare down possible Premier League ban
Both players are one yellow card away from receiving a one-match ban in the Premier League.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber and striker Gabriel Jesus are both at risk of receiving a one-match ban in the Premier League. They are amongst a list of nine players in the top flight who will get a ban, should they be shown a further yellow card.
Timber has made 16 appearances for the Gunners so far this season, with his last coming against Ipswich in a 1-0 win over the Tractor Boys. However, his last yellow cards came against Crystal Palace when the Gunners won 5-1 thanks to goals from Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
That was Timber’s fourth yellow card of the season and he will be handed a one-match ban should he get another one against Brentford on Wednesday. If his tally moves up to 10 yellow cards within 32 games, Timber would receive a two-match ban, which could become damaging for Mikel Arteta’s side. Jesus will also need to tread carefully against the Bees, as he is also on four yellow cards for the season. The Gunners’ striker featured against Ipswich but was substituted for Mikel Merino after 72 minutes.
His last yellow card came during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool in late October when he was awarded the card after the final whistle. One more card for Jesus and he, like Timber, will receive a one-match ban. Premier League rules state that any player who receives a total of five yellow cards in a club’s first 19 games will be banned for one match. The good news for the duo is that Arsenal’s 19th game of the season is against Brentford, so if they are able to stay out of the referee’s book in midweek, the slate will be wiped clean.
Arsenal title rivals Liverpool with four players at risk of a ban
Arteta will be concerned that Timber and Jesus are both at risk of a one-match ban, however, his side’s situation is better than title rivals Liverpool. The Reds have four players that sit on four yellow cards for the season, and, if timed badly, could lose two or three players at once which would be a big blow for Arne Slot.
Liverpool sit on top of the Premier League table, nine points ahead of Arsenal who are currently third. Defender Ibrahima Konate is at risk of a ban after he has become a mainstay in Slot’s back line alongside Virgil van Dijk. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is also on four yellow cards this season. He has arguably been one of the best centre-midfielders in the league. It would be a big blow if he was to miss time. Furthermore, attackers Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez are also at risk of a ban, as they both sit on four yellow cards too. Their 19th game of the season is against Manchester United this weekend after an earlier clash with Everton was postponed.
Arsenal’s impressive disciplinary record in the Premier League
Despite the fact that Arteta’s side have two players on four yellow cards, they have one of the best records in the division. The Gunners have been handed 36 yellow cards this season; only Brentford have received fewer as they sit on 30.
