Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard openly voiced his frustration following his team’s unexpected 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth, delivering a candid assessment of their second-half collapse.
The Norwegian midfielder made it clear during his post-match interview that the performance after halftime was far from the standards expected at a club like Arsenal. Describing it as “not acceptable,” Ødegaard expressed his dismay at how the team allowed a one-goal advantage to slip through their fingers.
The game initially appeared to be going Arsenal’s way. Ødegaard played an instrumental role in the Gunners’ bright start, providing a precise assist that allowed Declan Rice to score in the first half.
Arsenal controlled much of the play early on, dominating possession and keeping Bournemouth under pressure. Their sharp passing and quick transitions suggested a comfortable evening for the home side.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically after the break. Despite a solid first-half showing, Arsenal struggled to maintain their tempo and structure.
Bournemouth gradually grew into the contest, sensing an opportunity to turn the match around. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Dean Huijsen out-jumped Arsenal’s defense to head home from a long throw-in delivered by Antoine Semenyo.
That equalizer appeared to unsettle the Gunners, and their defensive vulnerabilities became more evident. The situation worsened when Bournemouth struck again through Evanilson. In a scrappy sequence inside the box, Evanilson managed to get the better of Ødegaard and bundled the ball into the net with his midsection, sealing a memorable win for the visitors.
This result was significant for Bournemouth as it marked their first-ever victory at Arsenal’s ground. For Arsenal, however, it was a damaging defeat—ending their unbeaten run in the Premier League since February and following closely on the heels of a narrow 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
In his post-match remarks to Sky Sports, Ødegaard lamented his side’s inability to maintain control after their early success. He acknowledged that while Arsenal started confidently and took a deserved lead, the team’s organization and composure disintegrated after conceding.
The captain stressed the need for accountability and quick improvement, especially with the crucial return leg against PSG fast approaching. Ødegaard concluded by reaffirming his focus on competing at the highest level while urging his teammates to rise to the occasion.
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