Arteta: Arsenal defeat a 'big punch in the face'

Q: What did Mikel Arteta say about Arsenal's defeat to Bournemouth?

Mikel Arteta described the 2-1 loss as a 'big punch in the face' and noted that the team's performance was 'strange.'

Q: How does Arsenal's loss affect their position in the Premier League standings?

The defeat allows Manchester City to potentially cut the gap to six points if they win against Chelsea, instead of Arsenal extending their lead to 12 points.

Mikel Arteta lamented his Arsenal side's "strange" performance in their 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, saying the result was a "big punch in the face."

Arsenal missed the chance to go 12 points clear of Manchester CIty at the Emirates Stadium, with the door now open for Pep Guardiola's side to cut the gap to six points at Chelsea on Sunday.

"It's extremely disappointing. It's a big punch in the face," Arteta said on TNT Sports. "it's about how we react now.

"Credit to them for what they did, they haven't lost in 11 games for a reason.

"But we did a lot of strange things today."

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Viktor Gyokeres cancelled out Junior Kroupi's opener, but Alex Scott scored the winner as Arteta's side pushed forwards. Despite several substitutions, Arsenal couldn't break down the visitors after.

"We were very far from the level that we're expecting, that's for sure," Arteta added. "But again, I don't want to criticise any players, especially here."