Arsenal suffer Martin Zubimendi suspension blow as Champions League rule explained
Arsenal clashed against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition.
The Gunners entered their match at the Emirates with two wins from two, securing victories over Athletic Club and Olympiacos without conceding.
Last time out, Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League to move three points clear at the top, with Mikel Arteta making two changes to the side that won at Craven Cottage.
Myles Lewis-Skelly came in for Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, while Gabriel Martinelli started ahead of Leandro Trossard after scoring the winner against Fulham.
Arsenal came out the blocks flying against the Spanish giants, but struggled to put the ball in the back of the net.
Martin Zubimendi picks up yellow card against Atletico Madrid
Martin Zubimendi has played a crucial role in Arteta’s midfield this term, displaying his qualities as a deep-lying playmaker and his aggression to win the ball back.
Sadly, the Spaniard has often overstepped the line with a cynical challenge, and that was the case once more on Tuesday night.
Zubimendi was booked in the first half for the third time in as many Champions League matches, and UEFA rules state that players are suspended for one match after picking up three yellow cards in the league phase.
That means the 26-year-old will miss Arsenal’s away clash against Slavia Prague on November 4, which is arguably the best game he could miss.
Since joining the club from Real Sociedad in the summer, Zubimendi has been a revelation for Arsenal and has solidified his place in the engine room.
Champions League yellow card rules explained
As per UEFA’s official website, single yellow cards and pending suspensions are always carried forward to the next stage of the competition.
But the rules state that all yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire on completion of the play-offs and are not carried forward to the league phase.
Should Arsenal reach the semi-finals, fans will be pleased to know that yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, even if a player is cautioned in both legs of a victorious semi-final tie, they cannot be suspended for the final.