Martin Keown makes Max Dowman criticism as Arsenal blow title race wide open

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Martin Keown has called out the Arsenal players for failing to find Max Dowman enough as he criticised them for "not mixing up their game enough" as they were beaten by Bournemouth .

The Gunners produced a lacklustre display as they lost for the third time in four matches on Saturday lunchtime. This loss cast serious doubt over their champion credentials as it opened the door for Manchester City to take control of the Premier League picture.

Alex Scott's winner for Bournemouth means Pep Guardiola's side have their destiny in their own hands as boos rang out at the Emirates at full-time. Arsenal desperately tried to seek a winner - and then an equaliser - in the second 45 minutes.

Dowman, who recently became the Premier League's youngest ever goalscorer, was bought on as Arsenal sought to rescue their situation and Keown was adamant that his team-mates should've found him more.

The ex-Gunner told TNT Sports : "Arsenal fixed the play and the picture never changed. Arsenal then couldn’t develop the play into their midfield players. Even when Dowman came on, we were all screaming give him the ball, but they didn’t have enough good control of the ball in the midfield and that is all down to Bournemouth and Arsenal not mixing up their game enough."

Arsenal's loss came just eight days before they head to the Etihad to take on City. Mikel Arteta is yet to record a win on the blue side of Manchester since taking charge of the north London outfit. Defeat could leave the Gunners in second place within a fortnight.

Already Arsenal have seen a quadruple dream reduced to a double. They were dominated in the Carabao Cup final by rivals City, and that came before they were stunned in the FA Cup by Championship side Southampton . It leaves Arsenal facing another late season collapse - which Keown challenged the senior players to prevent.

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"Now people have got to stand up," he said. "Personalities have got to come forward, leaders have to emerge because the pressure will come on. It’s still in your hands because Manchester City are next in the Premier League and you’ve got to play the Champions League in midweek and make sure the wheels do not come off this season."

Arsenal's next assignment sees them facing Sporting Lisbon, before they take on City in a game that could prove defining in where the Premier League title ends up.

Arteta said in the aftermath of the loss to Bournemouth: "It has to hurt. They have to take it on the chin. You stand up and go for the fight or you're out. It's a big week."

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