Liverpool handed mega boost as Arsenal dealt £27m blow - but Newcastle United shouldn't get excited

Liverpool will be rubbing their hands at the drama that has unfolded in the first half of the Premier League meeting between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal on the south coast.

The Gunners are looking to go top of the table with a win over the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening but it's been a disastrous start to the encounter for Mikel Arteta's men. The two sides went in at the break with the score level, but the London outfit are already with just 10 players on the field.

Key centre-back William Saliba saw red after just 30 minutes for a pull back on Bournemouth forward Evanilson. The Frenchman had been sold a bad backpass from Leandro Trossard and couldn't get the better of his opponent without a foul.

Saliba had initially been shown a yellow card by Rob Jones but the official was sent to the monitor by VAR and overturned his initial decision to brandish a red. The Premier League Match Centre confirmed on X: "The referee gave Saliba a yellow card for a challenge on Evanilson. The VAR deemed that Saliba denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card."

That offence comes with a one-game ban for Arsenal, meaning he will miss the huge Premier League meeting with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Saliba's red card will not come with a three match ban.

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."

That means that any Preston North End or Newcastle United fans getting excited about the prospect of facing an Arsenal side without their stalwart defensive pair will not be so lucky. Saliba will be eligible to play in the Carabao Cup meeting with the Lilywhites and the trip to St James' Park next month.