Arsenal to use ‘anger and rage’ of Bournemouth loss against PSG

Prior to their most recent success, Arsenal needed momentum.

A full-strength team falling to Bournemouth for the first time ever at home wasn’t what they needed.

The Gunners’ preparations for Wednesday’s crucial Champions League semi-final second leg at Paris St-Germain were hampered by Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to the Cherries, which was unfortunate for Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal’s future depends entirely on their success in Europe, and they need to win the match with a 1-0 lead.

After conceding two goals in the second half from Declan Rice’s opener, Bournemouth now appears to have to face that test, but Arteta believes a loss like that could turn things around for them.

He claimed that it didn’t give rise to the desired momentum. There was a lot of rage, rage, and disappointment as a result.

The Gunners need to defend set pieces better, for one.

The visitors’ goal was not on target for the first hour, but they were still in control of the game despite being far from at their best against Bournemouth.

However, Dean Huijsen headed in from Antoine Semenyo’s long throw to equalize on his first such attempt.

A corner was flicked on to the far post again, and it was Arsenal’s fault for the winner.

The most goals conceded by Arsenal this season are scored in set-piece situations, which is the highest percentage in the English top flight.

On Wednesday, Arsenal must score, and then somehow escape a PSG side that has so far this season scored a league-high 42 goals at home.

Arsenal has led the Premier League five times in a row, but four of those games failed to maintain that lead.

This season, they have combinedly lost 21 points from Premier League victories (also 21 in 2019-20), which is their highest total in a single campaign.

The other issue with Saturday’s defeat was that Bournemouth could not make a single attempt on or off target after the Gunners took the lead in the 75th minute.

Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green said on BBC Radio 5 live, “At the minute, you just cannot see that. [Arsenal beating PSG].

You remove Declan Rice from this team, and you have a group of players without any experience in scoring goals and having an impact.

Arsenal were Liverpool’s main rivals for the Premier League title for the majority of the season, but their subpar run of form has left them clinging on to second place.

Even though they are three points clear of Manchester City in third place, Newcastle’s lead will be cut to two if they defeat Brighton on Sunday.

Chelsea will be four points adrift if they beat Crystal Palace on Monday and fifth-placed Nottingham Forest at home against Liverpool on Monday.

With three games left, the Gunners’ chances of finishing in the top four could be in jeopardy, just as important as the fact that the top five will also secure Champions League football next year.

“Are the wheels at Arsenal off”? Chris Sutton, a former Premier League player, stated live on BBC Radio 5.

They “are having a major wobble,” don’t they?

Although it may not be as dramatic, Arteta is aware that the Gunners need to be significantly improved from their most recent performances to prevent the season from sputtering even more than it already does.

He said, “Yes, we have a lot to do because we are mathematically unqualified for the Champions League.”