Damning Arsenal stat exposes major problem for Mikel Arteta after Bournemouth defeat

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Arsenal’s creativity abandoned them against Bournemoouth as their Premier League title hopes took another blow. The Gunners were defeated 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday - goals from Eli Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott securing victory for the South Coast side.

The defeat leaves Arsenal still top of the Premier League table with a nine-point advantage, albeit Manchester City could reduce that gap rapidly. And while results have taken a downturn, one aspect will also give boss Mikel Arteta reason to worry.

In their defeat to Bournemouth , Arsenal actually ended up creating 2.53 expected goals (xG) but only 0.19 of that came in open play. Viktor Gyokeres registered for the home side, albeit his strike came from the penalty spot.

Arteta bemoaned his side for their approach against Bournemouth following the full time whistle. He said: “It's extremely disappointing; it's a big punch in the face, 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.

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“There are no grey areas; we are in, we are out, and we need to be very, very, very strong and determined to approach it in a different way than we've done today, especially when the game wasn't going our way.

He added: “We need everything. First of all, we need everybody, fit and available. So the ones that are not involved, the ones that are not with us, that are really big, important players, we need them immediately with us, because then we're going to be much stronger, and then the other ones, we need to stand up.

“Me, the first one, and embrace this challenge and go for it. So today we have to suffer, it's painful, it's a terrible feeling, but tomorrow is a different day, and if somebody had said to me in August, we are in this position right now in April, I'm sure we would all take it.”

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Arsenal have a huge opportunity to breathe new life into their Premier League title push next weekend as they travel to the Etihad to take on Pep Guardiola ’s Manchester City. Before that, they will also be aiming to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League .

Arsenal are currently 1-0 up against Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon following Kai Havertz’s late goal in midweek.