Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, expressed surprise at Kai Havertz receiving his eighth yellow card of the season during their recent 2-0 victory over Luton. Despite the win propelling Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League standings with an impressive 28 points out of 30 in 2024, Havertz’s caution drew attention due to its implications for his disciplinary record.
With the booking marking Havertz’s 11th of the season, he edges closer to the threshold for a two-match suspension. In the match at the Emirates Stadium, Martin Odegaard scored with an assist from Havertz, followed by an own goal from Luton’s Daiki Hashioka.
Addressing the issue in the post-match press conference, Arteta stressed the importance of caution and highlighted the potential repercussions of further bookings. He expressed surprise at Havertz’s disciplinary record, given his pivotal role in the team, emphasizing the need to uphold disciplinary standards to avoid disruptions due to suspensions.
Despite concerns, Havertz has been a crucial player for Arsenal this season, missing only one game due to suspension, which resulted in a 2-0 defeat against West Ham. While the focus remains on Arsenal’s title aspirations, Arteta emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and quality as they prepare for their upcoming fixture against Brighton.
Arteta remarked on the situation, stating, “Yeah, we have to be careful. Hopefully, he won’t get booked again because we know what happens with the 10th.” He concluded by acknowledging their current position and emphasizing the need for focus and preparation for the next challenge against Brighton.
