How many games is Arsenal star William Saliba banned for? Suspension rules explained ahead of Liverpool clash

Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season on Saturday evening as they lost 2-0 at AFC Bournemouth after playing for an hour with 10 men. Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert scored the all-important goals in the second half but it was the sending off of defender William Saliba that proved to be the key moment in the contest on the south coast.

Saliba was initially yellow carded by referee Robert Jones for a last-man foul on Evanilson. A poor pass from Leandro Trossard put Saliba in trouble, as Evanilson looked to run through on goal before being dragged down by the Frenchman. The decision was upgraded to a red card after Jones was sent to the pitch-side monitor by Jarred Gillet.

"We are obviously very disappointed with the result and gutted because we have to play again in that context," said Gunners boss Mikel Arteta afterwards. "This time was even more difficult than the previous two we faced this season. Playing for 65 or 68 minutes with 10 men at this level is just an impossible task. It's an accident waiting to happen, not to get the points. I cannot fault the team for their effort, their commitment, how intelligent they are to play in the way that we have to do it.

"There is a big moment obviously with 0-0 when we have a big opening, one against one with the 'keeper. We don't manage to score and at the other end we do that. We have to fault ourselves. Football is a sport where errors are part of that. Tonight we made two big errors that have cost us the game unfortunately."

It is Arsenal’s third red card in eight Premier League games, with Declan Rice and Trossard also seeing red this season. The Gunners drew with Brighton and Manchester City, respectively, in those two games. However, despite Saliba being ruled out of Sunday’s huge Premier League clash with Liverpool, it is not all doom and gloom for the Gunners on the suspension front.

How long is William Saliba banned for?

Despite being handed a straight red, Saliba will only be given a one-match ban. This is because his offence was deemed a professional foul which only carries a one-match suspension. Three-match bans are reserved for incidents of violent conduct. The PFSA explains: "For a sending off, after a second yellow in one game, the suspension period is one match. For a so-called professional foul, a player will also receive a one-match ban."

Players shown a straight red for dissent will be given a two-match ban, although Saliba was not guilty of that offence against Bournemouth. It means Saliba will be back for the Carabao Cup clash with Preston North End and for the trip to Newcastle United at the start of November.

Who will play centre-back against Liverpool?

Gabriel will get a new defensive partner at the Emirates next weekend with a handful of options available to Arteta. Jakub Kiwior seems the most logical choice given that he was introduced against Bournemouth following Saliba’s dismissal. Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori could also be drafted into central defensive with another player then moved out to full-back.

The fixture with Liverpool takes on added significance following the weekend results. The Reds were impressive in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield and have now won seven of their opening eight games to sit on 21 points at the top of the table. They are one point above Manchester City and four ahead of the Gunners and Aston Villa.