London: Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday was a “big punch in the face”, calling on his players to stand up as the club’s Premier League title charge threatens to unravel.
Junior Kroupi gave the visitors a well-earned lead after 17 minutes before Viktor Gyokeres clawed a laboured Arsenal back into the game from the penalty spot.
The Gunners remain nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City with six matches to go but Pep Guardiola’s men, with two games in hand, are right back in the title race. The two teams meet next Sunday at the Etihad in a game that could be a potential title decider. “It’s a big punch in the face, that’s what I said to the boys, and now it’s about how we react to that,” said a disappointed Arteta.
