BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal manager Arteta expressed frustration, stating, “I can only blame him for the numerous mistakes made against Bournemouth,” referring to a key player responsible for the team’s disappointing loss.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted that his team must take responsibility for their 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth, which marked their first loss of the season. The match saw Bournemouth capitalize on two key mistakes, with goals from Ryan Christie and Evanilson.

The turning point came when William Saliba was sent off in the first half after a professional foul, following a poor pass from Leandro Trossard that put Saliba in a difficult position.

Arteta highlighted the challenges his team faced after Saliba’s dismissal. He acknowledged that Gabriel Martinelli missed a significant opportunity to score while the match was still 0-0, considering it another costly error. Reflecting on the game, Arteta expressed his disappointment, particularly in having to play with ten men for an extended period.

He emphasized that playing a large portion of the match with a man down at the highest level of football is almost an “impossible task.” Despite the unfavorable circumstances, Arteta commended his players for their effort and ability to adapt to the situation.

A pivotal moment in the match came when Martinelli missed a one-on-one chance with Bournemouth’s goalkeeper, which could have changed the game’s dynamic. Arteta pointed to this as a key moment, acknowledging that missed chances and mistakes on both ends of the pitch led to the defeat. He accepted that errors are an inevitable part of football, but stressed that Arsenal’s two significant mistakes in the game proved decisive.

Arteta was measured in his criticism of Saliba’s red card, understanding the difficulty of making quick decisions in the heat of play. He explained that Saliba, caught off-guard by the pass, made a split-second decision that unfortunately resulted in his sending off. Arteta confirmed that Arsenal would not appeal the red card, as it was upgraded from a yellow card after a VAR review.

Despite the disappointment of the loss, Arteta emphasized the need to move on and focus on the next challenge. With Saliba suspended, he is now concentrating on preparing the squad for their upcoming Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, urging his team to channel their frustration into a strong performance.