Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal players to take three key lessons from Bournemouth defeat into PSG clash

Image credit: Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his players to turn their “frustration, rage and anger” into fuel for Wednesday’s decisive Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, following a damaging 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

The Gunners were stunned at the Emirates on Saturday despite taking the lead through Declan Rice in the first half. Bournemouth mounted a second-half comeback to seal a memorable win, leaving Arsenal reeling both in their pursuit of Champions League glory and in the Premier League title race.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Arsenal now face a huge task in Paris if they are to book their place in the final in Munich. The defeat also puts their domestic campaign in jeopardy, with Manchester City just three points behind and four games remaining.

Arteta did not hide his disappointment in the aftermath of the loss, highlighting the team’s defensive lapses and missed opportunities to secure the result.

READ MORE: Premier League explains VAR decision on Evanilson’s controversial winner against Arsenal

“We started the game and a lot of the things we wanted happened,” Arteta told Match of the Day. “We should have killed the game and we didn’t. On top of that, if you defend your box in two set-pieces the way we have done, you’re in big, big trouble. We should have put the game to bed.

“We defended really poorly—nowhere near the standards that we are used to. We wanted to generate momentum and a really positive vibe today. We haven’t. What we have created is frustration, rage, and anger. Make sure we use that on Wednesday.”

The defeat marks another worrying trend for the Gunners, who have now dropped 21 points from winning positions this season. Captain Martin Ødegaard echoed his manager’s sentiments, labelling the performance as “unacceptable.”

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!

“I think we started the game pretty well – we got the goal and felt like we controlled pretty much everything,” said Ødegaard. “But they score, and we lose control of the game. We never find the rhythm after that. It’s too chaotic and too sloppy from us.

“The second half is not acceptable. We have to move on as we have a massive game coming up. We have to get ready for that and analyse this game as well.

“This is what we want – to compete in every competition. We wanted to come here, play well, and win, but that wasn’t the case. It is a massive game on Wednesday, but we have to use today to be ready and beat PSG.”

With a place in the Champions League final at stake and momentum slipping domestically, Arsenal must now deliver one of their best performances of the season in the French capital.

NEXT ARTICLE: Mikel Arteta delivers injury blow as Arsenal star doubtful ahead of PSG clash