However, they decided against submitting an official appeal despite opting to produce a video designed to bolster their chances of ensuring the France international centre-back escaped a one-match ban ahead of the Premier League game against Liverpool on Sunday.
Arsenal eventually concluded that appealing Saliba’s red card was never a realistic consideration given the likelihood of it failing.
The analysts of the North London club had put together a video consisting of clips showing similar fouls akin to that of the Frenchman that were not deemed red card offences as they prepared to appeal his sending off, and they might have included the clip of Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo escaping a sending off for a similar incident after bringing down Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota the following day.
Referee Robert Jones initially handed the Arsenal star a yellow card for pulling down Cherries striker Evanilson but he upgraded it to a red after consulting with VAR Jarred Gillett.
It has sparked several debates since Saturday but the Gunners did not bother to appeal it and will be without Saliba against the Premier League leaders.
He will only miss a match as his red card was not for violent conduct – which would have meant a three-game suspension – and Arsenal will have to find a way to win without him.
Their decision not to submit an official appeal despite going ahead to edit a video designed to boost their chances of ensuring Saliba escaped the one-match ban is baffling.
Arsenal may have been successful had they gone ahead with an appeal, but they did not fancy their chances and their fans will hope being without the Frenchman on Sunday does not affect them.
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