Former PGMOL chief believes Webb should talk to Arteta

Last season, Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta frequently voiced his frustrations over the standard of refereeing, highlighted by the six red cards shown to the Gunners in the Premier League. Yet on the flip side, Arsenal rank fourth in the league for fouls committed, and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett doesn't see this as a refereeing issue.

Details: The ex-FIFA referee has urged his successor at PGMOL, Howard Webb, to have a preventive conversation with Arteta, encouraging him to focus more on his players' on-field discipline.

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Quote: "I think, when you look at the statistics for each club at the end of the season—as I have done in the past—and you see, for example, Arsenal, I'd say it's time to visit their training ground. I'd bring along a referee and a referees' coach to talk with the players and the manager, and discuss discipline.

With the manager, I'd go through the six red cards they've received, analyze them myself, and point out where discipline could be improved. But I believe these conversations should happen away from the match environment, so the manager can influence things if there's a negative atmosphere in the squad. And it's important to be open to such dialogues with all clubs.

I think this is part of Howard Webb's role—it's truly his responsibility! Meeting with clubs and discussing these matters is vital. And if Arteta is unhappy about something, he needs to be heard, everything should be explained, a discussion held. That falls under the duties of the PGMOL's general manager," Hackett told Football Insider.