The Gunners stumbled throughout thier return to Premier League motion.
Mikel Arteta responded to Arsenal’s loss to Bournemouth (Picture: TNT Sports activities)
Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at dwelling to Bournemouth as a ‘punch within the face’, with the Gunners as soon as once more left wanting over their shoulder within the title race. Arsenal’s future stays in their very own fingers, however their loss on dwelling soil ramps up the stress forward of subsequent week’s showdown towards Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad Stadium.
Arteta requested for the followers to convey the noise earlier than the lunchtime kick-off, and, in equity, they did. As a substitute, it was a refrain of boos that met the full-time whistle on the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal’s title pursuit having taken an almighty blow.
Talking to TNT Sports activities, the Gunners boss stated: “Disappointing. It is a large punch within the face and it is about how we react now. They’re a group who have not misplaced for 11 video games for a motive, they did quite a bit proper. We have been removed from environment friendly. The primary likelihood they needed to assault the field, it is a deflection, a foul defending motion and it is a objective. That is one thing we’ve to get better from.
“The second half you count on a unique sport. We did a whole lot of unusual issues at this time. Now we have been very constant. This could occur, that is soccer.”
Requested if the gamers are hurting, Arteta added: “Loads. It has to harm. They need to take it on the chin. You rise up and go for the combat otherwise you’re out. It is a large week. Loads at stake. We’re nonetheless in a very good place in each competitions.”
In reflection, it would not precisely come as a shock. The title-hopefuls began poorly, discovered themselves behind after 17 minutes and have been maybe lucky to be gifted a penalty halfway by means of the primary half.
Having dragged themselves to the half-time break, Arsenal continued to huff and puff after the restart, and it was no shock the third objective of the sport got here on the finish Bournemouth have been attacking.
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Evanilson linked up properly with Alex Scott, who tucked dwelling the objective that has the Arsenal nerves jangling. The hole on the prime stays 9 factors, however crucially, Metropolis have two matches in hand, with Arsenal additionally travelling to the Etihad subsequent weekend.
Earlier than that, it is a large second leg at dwelling to Sporting within the Champions League, with an more and more fragile Arsenal boasting a slender one-goal lead. It is not an understatement to recommend the following two matches might make or break Arsenal’s season, and presumably even Arteta’s reign as Gunners boss.
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