13/04/2026

MONDAY | APR 13, 2026

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A RSENAL’S Premier League title aspirations suffered a significant blow after a shock 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth, a result Mikel Arteta described as a “big punch in the face”. The unexpected loss, Arsenal’s third consecutive domestically, has dramatically opened the door for Manchester City to close the gap at the top of the table. The Gunners, who had secured a Champions League quarterfinal first-leg victory against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, appeared lacklustre at a tense Emirates Stadium. Junior Kroupi put Bournemouth ahead after 17 minutes, before Viktor Gyokeres briefly brought Arsenal level from the penalty spot. However, Alex Scott restored the visitors’ advantage in the sec ond half, leaving Arteta’s side unable to mount a response. “It’s a big punch in the face, and extremely disappointing,” Arteta stated. “That’s what I said to the boys. There are no grey areas. “Today there were some very basic things that we did extremely badly. When you do that, they’re going to capitalise, and it becomes very chaotic and very difficult to control.” He added: “We have to look at ourselves. We have to suffer. It’s painful. It’s a terrible feeling. But tomorrow is a different day. “And if somebody would have said to me in August, we are in this position right now in April, I’m sure we would all have taken it.” The defeat not only shifts momentum towards Manchester City but also reignites questions about Arsenal’s ability to main tain a title-winning mentality, having finished as runners-up in the last three seasons. City now have the opportunity to reduce Arsenal’s nine-point lead to six when they face Chelsea overnight. Should Pep Guardiola’s side triumph against Chelsea, beat Burnley on April 22, and then overcome Arsenal in their crucial Etihad Stadium clash on Sunday, they would draw level on points with the Gunners with five games remaining. Arteta, who was

going to stand up, first of all, indi vidually, and then as a team to change that immediately on Wednesday.” He stressed the need for a full squad, adding, “We need every thing. We need everybody fit and available. The ones that were not involved today are really big, important players, and we need them immediately with us because then we’re going to be much stronger.” Former Newcastle and England forward Alan Shearer, who was a pundit on Saturday’s Match of the Da y, said: “They could blow it playing like that. They were poor in every depart ment. No energy, flat – they looked very, very nervous. “The whole place seemed nervous. As they haven’t won it for so long I perhaps understand, but they have to get through that or they’re going to miss out. “I thought the result in Lisbon in midweek would have helped them massively, just to get a little bit of momentum and confidence after the two cup defeats,” added Shearer. “But there was nothing I saw today that would give me confi dence that they’re going to go and win the League.” Manchester United threw away an eight-point advantage after 32 games in 2011-12 – when City went on to win the title – but a nine-point lead has never been surrendered at this stage of a sea son. Arteta’s men have, however, gained a reputation for letting leads slip. They were top after 32 games played in 2022-23 and finished second, although they were only five points ahead of City, who also had two games in hand then. In the Premier League era, they’ve been top after playing their 32nd game on four occa sions, winning the title in 2001-02 and 2003-04 and finishing second in 2002-03 and 2022-23. They have never been nine points clear at this stage of a cam paign. Data analysts Opta still give Arsenal a 93.62% chance of win ning the title, based on thousands of simulations of each team’s remaining fixtures. streak to 12 matches, a new club record in the top flight. Manager Andoni Iraola expressed his sat isfaction, saying, “I am very pleased with the per formance, the win, and I am happy with the players. “The team is there and com peting for every game, and con sidering the stage of the season, and how much was in play, the players deserved it.” – The Independent/Agencies For Bournemouth, the victory extends their remarkable unbeaten

Major blow Arteta admits Arsenal’s loss to Bournemouth ‘big punch in the face’

without key players Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, and Riccardo Calafiori due to injury, acknowl edged the external pres sure.

“We can’t control that. What we can control is our perform ances over the last nine months,” he said. “Anything that is said when you have a defeat at home, you have to accept that. There are no excuses. It’s about how we’re

Alex Scott (right) scores Bournemouth’s winning goal in the Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday. – REUTERSPIC

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