'big Punch In The Face' - Could Arsenal Really Blow Title From Here?

Whatever nan result, this was a mediocre capacity by Arsenal, who looked jaded compared to a caller Bournemouth broadside who had not played for 3 weeks.

This was nan 53rd crippled of nan Gunners' play arsenic they person attempted to triumph trophies successful aggregate competitions.

However, defeats successful nan Carabao Cup final, FA Cup quarter-finals and now against nan Cherries intends they person mislaid 3 of their past 4 successful each competitions.

Arsenal were without Bukayo Saka, skipper Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber done injury, while Myles Lewis-Skelly was making conscionable his 2nd commencement of nan play astatine left-back pinch Riccardo Calafiori besides unavailable.

"I thought nan consequence successful Lisbon successful midweek would person helped them massively, conscionable to get a small spot of momentum and assurance aft nan 2 cup defeats," added Shearer.

"But location was thing I saw coming that would springiness maine assurance that they're going to spell and triumph nan league."

There was a tense ambiance wrong nan stadium, pinch loose passes met by groans from nan location supporters arsenic it was clear that nan Gunners were not astatine their best.

Arteta had asked nan fans to move up early to create an intimidating ambiance - but nan Gunners leader does not deliberation that nan anticipation is getting to his side.

"I don't deliberation location is pressure," Arteta told BBC Match of nan Day. "We person been coping pinch a batch of unit since nan opening of nan season.

"Today location were immoderate actions that are very acold from nan level that we person shown and that shocks nan system.

"We inquire a batch from our crowd and coming we didn't respond to those standards and we person to apologise, return it connected nan chin and move on."