Mikel Arteta described defeat to Bournemouth as a "big punch in the face" as Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were dealt a significant blow following a desperate 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates.
The Gunners produced a worryingly lethargic display as Bournemouth left north London with all three points to hand Manchester City the chance to reduce the gap at the top to six when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
It was a third consecutive domestic defeat for Arteta's side - following their Carabao Cup final loss against City and FA Cup exit to Southampton - and it places major doubt over whether they will secure their first title in 22 years, having finished runner-up for the past three seasons.
"It's extremely disappointing," Arteta said. "It's a big punch in the face, but it's about how we react now.
"Credit to them [Bournemouth] for what they did, they haven't lost in 11 games for a reason. They got a lot of things right. When we had anticipation in the first half, when we regained the ball, we were far from efficient.
"The first opportunity they had to attack the box, it was a deflection, a really bad defensive action and it cost us a goal.
"That's something we have to deal with emotionally. We tried to recover and push them, we scored from the penalty and you expect a different game.
"But we did a lot of strange things today."
'Stand up and go for the fight or you are out'
Arsenal now have to find a response when they face Sporting in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final before a huge Premier League showdown against Man City next Sunday in a fixture now fuelled with even greater significance.
Arteta has called for fight from his players as they bid to keep their title challenge on track.
He added: "We've been very consistent. It can happen, this is football and sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition for the way they capitalised.
"I don't know how many shots they had but they made the most of our actions, and we were far from our level today.
"It hurts the players a lot, and it has to. You have to take it on the chin and there is no grey area now.
"You stand up and go for the fight, or you're out. That's what it's going to require now.
"It's a big week, there's a lot at stake. We're still in a good position in both competitions but we need to do better, that's for certain."
Yeybcenoru
0
There are times when you blame the coach but there are times that its obvious that the players are being overpowered and they have forgotten how to play. Bornemouth FC was too strong for Arsenal today.
Yeybcenoru
0
Those who watched the game can tell that its the players who were to blame. Arsenal was nervous and they were failing to get out of their own half. Bournemouth FC was pressing heavily, Arteta tried to make changes but Arsenal was being overpowered.
Zuzeiopryz
0
Arsenal will be runners up as usual
Bauabckpru
0
Must sack this guy at the end of the year. No matter what Arteta has to be fired.
Kaeacmnuyz
0
its over
Wakid
1
arteta how much did you sell the game for because all this is f***ing betting going on
Lucadmstuy
0
Hmmm and so shall it BE
Zauacilosy
0
I from quadruple to treble to double and now it's about to end in trouble
reycdeklnt
0
you have no ideas left in you Arteta... too much playing with the goalkeeper and the team is no longer playing good football... your style of play is outdated
jeebcmps
1
I have always been supportive of Arteta but i am now starting to believe he can’t get us over the line. He talks a great game, but doing it is a different story. He does have his favourites like Havertz, Trossaud,Odergaard or 3 of them.Eze has been treated unfairly, Norgaard could stand in for Zubimendi who looks shattered. Saka has not been at his best this season but he is sorely missed.
Barrusman
1
The noice makers start their work, after professionals have completed theirs. To hell with you haters. Arteta is really doing incredible work in Arsenal.
Moebloprtz
0
dat old fucking coach is d problem
Lukcentuy
0
we are not happy with arteta he don't mentality to win the game or to winning the trophy so it means this season we will not get any trophy we are very angry with arteta ç
sitdnotz
0
We are still on track,is our season up gunners epl or ucl.
Caebklmyz
0
What actually is happening to Arsenal? 😭😭😭
depabdesz
0
No happiness of supporting Arsenal
Same here with Liverpool
Lukcentuy
2
our head coach not serious look why he leaves eez at the bench instead to start with him .. look.at Ben White he was play to much back pass lot of mistakes why he start with harvest in the middle and he can't manage it mr artet improve
officialben
1
that is the end for Arsenal. The league is City
😂🫣
ficacmopr
0
No happiness of supporting Arsenal
🤣🤣🤣
officialben
1
😂😂😂 arsenal will bottle nothing 🫣
leuming75
3
Not a big punch in a face..but arteta stubborn tactic/gameplay… backpass and sidepass…such a stupid coach…no idea.. no tactical change..no urgency.. Nothing.. what a manager he is? Sack him…we want and attacking game..we don’t need a beautiful game…we don’t need backpass game..damn stuborn arteta
nebdinprsy
2
that is the end for Arsenal. The league is City
Yawoozo
5
No happiness of supporting Arsenal
nellomcfc
1
Manchester City