Mikel Arteta admits his Arsenal side have a problem with red cards but believes the solution is not to discuss the issue within the squad.

Arsenal are licking their wounds after Saturday’s shock 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, which was wiped out after William Saliba’s hard-fought red card. It was their third dismissal of the season and 18th since Arteta took over in December 2019, putting them five points clear of the nearest Premier League club over that period. They will not appeal the Saliba decision, meaning the centre-back will be suspended for Sunday’s game against Liverpool, and Arteta accepted the situation must improve somehow.

“Playing with 10 men is obviously a problem,” he said, also referring to Declan Rice’s sending off against Brighton in August and Leandro Trossard’s early dip at Manchester City last month.

“The truth is, if you analyze the three very different actions and their results, the reasons are very different. Regardless, we cannot continue to play with 10 men, especially at this level. We have to eliminate this. It’s clear why, the reason and how it doesn’t matter. We have to focus and it has to happen.”

When asked what the solution could be, Arteta explained that experience had taught him not to make it a live issue within the team: “The most effective way, I have to be completely honest, is not to talk about it .” Because we tried, we showed and we talked, and we repeated the message that we have to play at 11, and after a week or three it happened again. They said, ‘Guys, let’s try something different,’ and then it disappeared.”

Arsenal have picked up just two points in the three games in which the number was reduced, but Arteta praised his side’s attitude in difficult conditions. “It’s absolutely galvanized,” he said.

“They show their teeth and fight the situation. They say: “OK, this is how we have to play, this is how we have to do it.” “We will do it and we are happy with it.” But we also understand the limits of success and of course we have to change that.”

Bukayo Saka has a chance of returning from a thigh injury in Tuesday’s game against Shakhtar Donetsk, but Martin Ødegaard is still out with a knee problem and the game could also come too early for Jurriën Timber.

What was striking was that Arteta did not ask any questions about the significance of the game during an 18-minute press conference on Tuesday evening. Maybe that’s because games in the expanded Champions League format no longer pose any danger, especially for the larger clubs.

Even if Arsenal lose points against the Ukrainian series champions, two wins from the last five group games should at least guarantee a place in the playoff round. They already have four points from meetings with Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain.

Arteta rejected any notion that the significance of the occasion had been diluted. “Tomorrow is a day where we really need to show that determination and quality. In the Champions League the gaps are so small that we have to give our best and concentrate solely on that.”

Mikel Merino was also asked whether the bloated football schedule – of which this draw is just a symptom – needs to be addressed. The Spanish midfielder responded in connection with a complaint lodged by Fifpro and the European leagues with the European Commission last week regarding Fifa’s imposed matchday calendar determination.

“The last few months have been a sensitive and difficult issue,” he said. “Of course we are players and love playing football. But at the same time we are reaching a level where players are getting injured and the game is not at its peak. That’s why it’s best if everyone gets to a point where we can keep playing and provide a spectacle.

“If players don’t rest there will be injuries and everyone wants to see the big names, show those great tricks and quality football. “Hopefully we can reach an agreement where everyone is happy.”