LONDON, England — Arsenal suffer another setback in their quest for the Premier League title as Bournemouth shocked them 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The match saw Youri Tielemans scoring the only goal, providing Aston Villa with a vital win as Arsenal struggled to capitalize on early chances. Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment with the team’s finishing and defensive lapses during key moments.
“We had so many big spaces and big opportunities to score, but we didn’t. When you concede from set pieces, it’s very difficult to earn three points,” Arteta said after the match.
In the same breath, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola praised his team’s resilience: “The key was the set plays in the second half. To make the difference with set plays was the key to taking the three points.”
Jamie Vardy also shined for Leicester City, notching two goals to secure a 3-1 victory over Ipswich Town, breaking a cycle of poor home form for his side. “The main thing is breaking a cycle,” Vardy told BBC. “We know we needed to get that done especially with the situation we are in.”
“I think it’s the third goal he’s scored from set pieces; he’s our biggest threat there and he’s helping us a lot,” Iraola mentioned regarding Vardy’s performance.
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard lamented the lack of control in the second half of their match. “We lost control of the game. The second half is not acceptable,” he said, urging his teammates to move on and prepare for their upcoming match.
Among the reactions, Chris Sutton, a former Premier League striker, questioned Arsenal’s ability to maintain their title chase, adding, “They are having a major wobble, aren’t they?”
After the match, Arsenal must focus on their preparation for a crucial UEFA Champions League clash against PSG. “Let’s use all the frustration for Wednesday,” Arteta concluded.
The defeat leaves Arsenal’s hopes for the title hanging by a thread as they find themselves six points behind leaders Manchester City.
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