Arsenal F.C. manager Mikel Arteta has described his side’s defeat to AFC Bournemouth as a “big punch in the face”, after a 2–1 loss at the Emirates Stadium.
The result on Saturday, April 12 dealt a setback to Arsenal’s Premier League title push and opened the door for renewed pressure in the closing stages of the season.
Arsenal remain top of the table, nine points ahead of second placed Manchester City, although City have two games in hand at the time of writing.
Viktor Gyökeres scored Arsenal’s only goal, a consolation effort, while Eli Kroupi and Adam Scott netted for Bournemouth as Arteta voiced clear frustration over a damaging result in the title race.
“It’s a big punch in the face. They are a team who haven’t lost for 11 games for a reason, they did a lot right. We were far from efficient. We have been very consistent.”
Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“This can happen, this is football. We did a lot of strange things today” Arteta said in an interview with TNT Sports.
Eli Junior Kroupi of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Evanilson during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
