Arsenal Football Club on Saturday afternoon failed to extend their Premier League lead after suffering a 2–1 loss to Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium, news.ng reports.
The Gunners, who were leading Manchester City by nine points (70), fell to a stubborn Bournemouth side.
Mikel Arteta’s boys were the first to concede, 17 minutes after kickoff, courtesy of Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi’s right-footed shot from close range into the bottom right corner to give his team the lead.
Arsenal retaliated in the 35th minute after they were awarded a penalty, and it was Viktor Gyökeres who responded, giving his team temporary relief going into half-time.
Arsenal’s push for a lead was cut short as Alex Scott gave Bournemouth the upper hand in the 74th minute.
Reacting after the match, Arteta described the defeat as a punch in the face.
He said, “It’s a big punch in the face, and it’s about how we react now.”
Their defeat, although still leaving them with a wide lead, provides an opportunity for City to respond positively as they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday at 4:30 pm (WAT).
Bournemouth are now 10th on the table with 45 points.
