Arteta labels Arsenal's defeat against Bournemouth as 'a big punch in the face'

The Gunners failed to stretch their nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, opening up the title race, with challengers Man City having two games in hand.

"It's extremely disappointing; it's a big punch in the face," said Arteta at the post-match press conference.

"But what I said to the boys, now it's about how we react to that, because it's game on, it's going to require now a big spirit, a lot of fight and very clear how we're going to approach that."

The North London outfit needs to avoid defeat in their league title showdown against City at the Etihad Stadium next weekend and win all their remaining matches to claim the trophy.

However, a win for Arsenal of Pep Guardiola's side will leave them needing to win only four of the last five Premier League games to be crowned 2025/26 champions.

"I think what we can control is our performances, like we've done over the last nine months, and that's the only thing," added the Frenchman.

"So, anything that is said when you have a defeat at home, you have to accept it. That's it. There are no excuses, there is no this or that."

Arsenal turn their attention to Wednesday's second leg UEFA Champions League quarter-final, when they host Sporting Lisbon while holding a 1-0 aggregate lead.