What if fear returned to Arsenal again? The leader of the English championship showed an unrecognizable face during the reception of Bournemouth (2-1 defeat). Manhandled in the game, he logically lost at home to general amazement and in an Emirates Stadium always gloomy when it comes to supporting his team in more difficult times. The English club, however, needs its audience. He finds himself at a crossroads in his season between a possible qualification for the last four of the Champions League (well off to a good start after his 1-0 success at Sporting CP in the first leg) and above all a first Premier League title which is finally available to them in 22 years.
Mikel Arteta did not really understand the unworthy performance of his players. “This is a real blow, and now it’s a question of how we will respond. We must be very strong and determined», begins the technician on TNT Sports. This is extremely disappointinghe insists. It’s a real blow. The important thing is our reaction. Hats off to them (Bournemouth) for what they have achieved. It’s not for nothing that they haven’t lost in 11 games. They did a lot of things well.» The technician regrets the attitude of his team but believes he has mastered his subject. However, it was not obvious.
Arteta : «we did a lot of strange things»
«In the first half we had the advantage in terms of anticipation and recovery of the ball, but we were far from being efficient. Their first opportunity to attack the box was a deflection. It was a very poor defensive action which cost us a goal. This is something we have to deal with emotionally. We tried to pull ourselves together and put them under pressure, we scored from the penalty spot and we expected a different game“, continues Arteta, still recognizing that his team “did a lot of strange things today. We were very far from the level we expected».
Today’s defeat changes the situation. Arsenal certainly maintains a 9-point lead at the top and is ultimately master of its destiny. Except that Manchester City, its runner-up, has two games in hand, and welcomes the Gunners in a week at the Emirates Stadium. In the event of success at Chelsea tomorrow, which is not assured, the Skyblues would have a fantastic opportunity to get back on the heels of the leader. “It hurts the players a lot, and that’s normal. We have to accept it, there is no more margin. You either fight or you’re out. This is what he will decide now.» And to conclude. “It’s an important week, there are a lot at stake. We are still well placed in both competitions, but we need to do better.» Except that money time has never been Arsenal’s strong point…
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– UPDATE
