Arsenal are two games away from Riccardo Calafiori nightmare scenario

Riccardo Calafiori is close to a suspension as Arsenal must be careful with Italian left-back

Arsenal might be just seven games into the new Premier League season but that does not mean that the danger of suspensions has not already crept up on Mikel Arteta’s squad. It is the same for other sides too with Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall having already incurred a one-match suspension.

According to The FA’s disciplinary rules, any player who receives five yellow cards from their side’s first 19 Premier League matches of a season will serve a one-match ban in the same competition. Premier League yellow cards are not carried over into the two domestic cup competitions.

From an Arsenal point of view, Riccardo Calafiori is on three yellow cards, the most in the squad. The Italian is known for his unorthodox style and even went viral in the clash with Newcastle United for one of the most bizarre reasons.

He was caught by referee Jarred Gillett taking goalkeeper Nick Pope’s towel to dry a ball before a throw-in that the England stopper had rather strangely thrown halfway down the touchline. While this did not result in a booking, he was booked later in the same game.

This was indeed his third yellow after being booked against Newcastle United and on the opening day against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He will have to be wary for the remaining 12 games before the threshold extends to ten bookings.

Additionally, those who receive ten yellow cards before the 33rd league game are subject to a further two-game suspension. That means avoiding seven yellow cards in 25 more matches.

At the current rate of three yellows in seven games, he is on course to end the season on a startling 16-plus yellow cards. There is no doubt Calafiori will be aware of the record and be tempering the potentially cynical fouls he undertakes.

Arteta has options, however, in the case of a suspension. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie are both options for the Spaniard in case Calafiori is forced to miss a game.