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The Premier League is arguably the most exciting top-flight league in world football and has evolved quite a bit since the tournament's rebranding nearly 30 years ago.
Fouls were a part and parcel of the game in the late 90s and early 2000s while red cards were not brandished all that easily. Referees would not frequently stop the game and teams were relatively more aggressive in their challenges. But that is not the case anymore.
Red cards have become a common occurence in the Premier League in the last decade
A player being sent off and missing crucial matches is damaging for any team. The use of technology and the introduction of VAR have increased the likelihood of receiving marching orders in the game. Indiscipline and thoughtless mistakes are monitored and no Premier League player is spared of the consequences.
On that note, let's take a look at five clubs with the most red cards in Premier League history.
#5 Manchester United- 68
Manchester United are the most successful English side in the Premier League era, thanks to the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scotsman had the tactical nous and the willpower to orchestrate title winning campaigns but his side also had a violent streak at times.
Roy Keane, in particular, often got into trouble with referees, while their record since Ferguson left the club has not necessarily been great either. Silly mistakes by players like Paul Scholes, Harry Maguire, Nemanja Vidic and others have put the team into losing positions in the past.
All of this has led to the club racking up 68 red cards in the Premier League over the last three decades.
#4 Tottenham Hotspur- 69
Tottenham Hotspur are yet to win a league title in the Premier League era. Rough tackles, miscalcuated decisions and reckless mistakes from some players have often led to the club's downfall in key situations. Players like Michael Dawson, Jan Vertonghen, Serge Aurier and others have been sent off in recent history. The club's infamous heated game against Chelsea at the end of the 2015-16 campaign at Stamford Bridge was a portrayal of the same.
Spurs capitulated in that game and let the Blues come back from 2-0 down due to their indiscipline. Overall, Tottenham have been at the end of 69 red cards in the league's history so far.
#3 Chelsea- 82
Chelsea were one of the most successful clubs in England once Roman Abramovich took over the reins in 2003. The Blues have since won everything there was to win in domestic football and are now poised to achieve success under their new ownership.
However, over the last 30 years, they have tended to choose brawn over brains at times. Poor challenges in dangerous areas of the pitch, coupled with disorderly behavior with referees, have led to multiple red cards for the West London club. Although the club never had any one player who was always reckless, the Stamford Bridge outfit still have 82 red cards to their name in the competition's history.
However, given all their success over the last two decades, the Blues will not be too worried about the amount of red cards they have incurred.
#2 Everton- 102
Everton are currently facing relegation this season but might just dig themselves out following their recent resurrection and Leeds United's poor form. However, they have been one of the most indisciplined teams in the league's history.
Poor decision-making and the chaotic nature of the club's games have resulted in several bookings for the Toffees. Moreover, their behavior with the referees, coupled with an inability to excel in long periods of the game, often leads to frustration boiling over in aggressive tackles.
These factors have led to the club suffering 102 red cards, including six this season. Frank Lampard will have to bring about a certain sense of professionalism and discipline in this budding Everton side if he manages to keep them up this term.
#1 Arsenal- 102
Arsenal have not tasted Premier League success since 2004 and the wait will continue for yet another campaign. But the north London club might return to Champions League football next season, given their fine performances this term.
But one thing that has remained constant over the past 30 years, including under Arsene Wenger, is the awful discipline, especially during the big games. From Tony Adams to Patrick Vieira to Laurent Koscielny to Granit Xhaka, there have been a host of players guilty of producing moments of indiscipline.
Rob Holding's recent red card in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham was a depiction of the same. But that booking also meant that Arsenal now hold the record for having the joint-most red cards in Premier League history (102).
Of all the records the Gunners hold, they will surely be the least proud of this one.
