Declan Rice has blasted Arsenal for their ‘naivety’ and urged them to stop making ‘silly mistakes’ following their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday night.
The Gunners went into the clash knowing victory would see them soar to the top of the Premier League table.
However, after William Saliba was sent off for bringing down Evanilson in the first half, it was always going to be a tough test.
Bournemouth ended up securing victory after goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert, with Arsenal losing for the first time in the Premier League.
Arsenal news: Declan Rice has blasted his side for their ‘naivety’ and urged them to stop making ‘silly mistakes’ following their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday night
REUTERS
Rice, speaking after the game, didn’t hold back.
Arsenal’s discipline problems have been an issue this season, with Saliba the third player to be sent off.
Rice was previously dismissed in a draw with Brighton, while Leandro Trossard received his marching orders in the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City last month.
And the England international has admitted they must do better, saying: “We’ve kicked ourselves in the foot three times in eight games and we got away with it at home to Brighton and away at Manchester City. Bournemouth kept probing and made it 2-0.
JUST IN:Chris Hoy reveals his cancer is terminal but says he still feels ‘lucky’
“I’m proud of the players for fighting, even with 10 men, but the naivety, we need to stop making mistakes because you want 11 players for 90 minutes and that’s what wins you football matches.
“With 10 men we showed a lot of character and personality to stay in the game.
“The big chance was (Gabriel) Martinelli’s and the keeper read it and made a great save and one minute later, normally a routine we are so strong at, has done us.
“We can’t make silly mistakes. You need all your best players on the pitch at all times.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also criticised his side’s lack of discipline.
The Spaniard stated: “We are very disappointed with the result and gutted because we had to play in that context again.
“Even more difficult than the previous two that we have faced this season to do it with 65 or 68 minutes with 10 men at this level, it’s just an impossible task.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen not to get the points. I cannot fault the team for their effort, their commitment, to play in the way we had to do it.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Arsenal news: William Saliba was sent off on Saturday night during his side’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth
REUTERS
“There was a big moment at 0-0 when we have a one-vs-one with the ‘keeper and we don’t manage to score. Then in the other end we do that.”
Arteta did, however, insist that he was pleased with how Arsenal have performed when they’ve gone behind this season.
“Well I don’t know what more we can do when you have to play away from home in this league,” he continued.
“It’s hard enough to do it with 11 so what we’ve done with 10 is quite remarkable.”
Arsenal news: Bournemouth won 2-0 on Saturday night following goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert
REUTERS
Arsenal won’t have too long to reflect on the result.
They return to action in the Champions League on Tuesday, when they’ll lock horns with Shakhtar Dontesk.
As for Bournemouth, their next match is against Aston Villa on Saturday (3pm).