Mikel Arteta admitted that Arsenal “should have killed the game” before Bournemouth came from behind to win in the Premier League on Saturday.
Declan Rice gave the Gunners a deserved first-half lead after being put through on goal by Martin Odegaard, but Dean Huijsen levelled matters in the 67th minute of the game.
The Spanish defender directed Antoine Semenyo’s long throw-in into the net for the equaliser before Evanilson scored the winner shortly afterward to seal the Cherries’ first ever away win over Arsenal.
The north London outfit were on top of proceedings in the opening 45 minutes, denying the visitors any clear cut chances while opening them up at the other end. But they failed to land any punches after Andoni Iraola made his substitutions, taking just two shots from the 63rd minute onward, both of which came from Odegaard in stoppage time.
Arteta feels ‘anger and rage’ following Bournemouth defeat
“We started the game and a lot of the things we wanted happened,” Arteta told BBC Match of the Day after the full-time whistle.
“We should have killed the game and we didn’t. On top of that if you defend your box in two set-pieces in the way we have done you’re in big, big, trouble.
“We should have put the game to bed. We defended really poorly, nowhere near the standards that we are used to.”
It was Arsenal’s first defeat in the Premier League since February and threatens to disrupt their momentum heading into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at PSG next week.
Read – Bournemouth boost European hopes with Arsenal comeback
“We wanted to generate the momentum and a really positive vibe today – we haven’t,” Arteta admitted.
“What we have created is frustration, rage and anger – make sure we use that on Wednesday.”
Arteta also told Premier League Productions “there’s a chance” Jurrien Timber won’t feature in Paris after he was left out of the matchday squad against Bournemouth.
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Sometimes I feel sorry for Arteta some other time I feel he is too familiar to some players yes we have lost the match with Bournemouth and yet his aim was not achieved tell me the reason Ethan Nwaneri didn’t start this match Yamal was what he was today is because the coach trusted him his age not withstanding I but you Yamal is too far away or not better than Ethan Nwaneri but how can we know when his coach is not featuring him Myles lewis Skelly was what he he is today is because he was featuring all the time the confidence must be there how many times will they tell Arteta that Odeguade is not inform football is like that some time you fade away and come back alive again if Arteta is thinking to win. PSG he must introduce Ethan Nwaneri and keep Odeguade on the bench I bet you as PSG have decided to cage Bukayo Saka with 2 or 3 players Ethan Nwaneri will be free and Myles lewis Skelly will be locating him by then they will give space to Bukayo Saka to do the damage and I believe Ethan Nwaneri if featured will deliver Arteta if you have ear hear it period