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Southampton boss blames FA for weakened team against Arsenal this weekend

Southampton boss Russell Martin has voiced out his displeasure with the FA over a red card incident against Manchester United a few weeks ago.

The Saints are still without captain Jack Stephens who was sent off against Manchester United last month in a 3-0 loss. The defender has been handed an extra two game suspension after it was revealed that he used the words “f***ing little c***” towards the fourth official, and referee Stuart Atwell.

Arsenal head into Saturday’s game with the Saints on a high, Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten this season and secured an important result in the Champions League, beating Paris Saint-Germain midweek.

Russell Martin says two-game ban extension is unfair on Southampton

The Saints are winless in their last five games in all competitions and have conceded 11 goals without Jack Stephens in the side.

Martin believes the extra two game ban is unfair, and that the FA should treat every other team the same way:

“They (FA disciplinary panel) have drawn a line in the sand,” said Martin during his Thursday press conference. “As long as everyone else is treated the same way, we have to accept it.

“Jack asked for a personal hearing to apologise because he’s a very good human being and it will be frustrating not to have him for another two games – but it could have been worse.”

When asked if he is feeling the pressure after failing to win in the last five games, Martin said he pays no attention to the ‘noise’.

“I don’t own a tin hat, but you have to accept everything as a manager – I don’t pay much attention to all the noise now, and I didn’t when we went 25 games unbeaten last year.”

Under pressure Saints boss slams players after Bournemouth loss

Southampton are yet to win a Premier League game this season, and their latest loss to Bournemouth on Monday night infuriated coach Russell Martin.

“We obviously haven’t learned from the setback at the Manchester United game which is a problem.

“We were soft, so forget style of play. If you don’t want to run, fight and make contact, take things personally, we didn’t come out with the ball at all in the first half, then it’s going to be a problem.

“I have to question myself. I thought I had made enough of a deal about the way they approached the game and how good they are at certain things but it obviously wasn’t enough as we looked under-prepared for that which considering the work we did is crazy.” Martin said on Sky Sports.