Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth gives Manchester City an opening in the title race

By Arturo Zapote-Lora | PR Football Writer 

Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Bournemouth deals a blow to their title charge as Manchester City now look to narrow the gap. 

While Arsenal’s loss improves City’s chances of closing the gap, City’s next league matches are not guaranteed points. They will first face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, then Arsenal at the Etihad the following Sunday. A win against both Chelsea and Arsenal would bring the gap to three, with a game still at hand for City. 

Arsenal’s defeat in their "far from efficient” performance as described by Mikel Arteta gave City a boost in their climb to the top of the table. 

FOLLOW OUR INSTAGRAM: @pr.football14

Arsenal faced off against Bournemouth at home this Saturday. In what Mikel Arteta called a “big punch in the face” during an interview with NBC Sports, Bournemouth shocked the Gunners by pulling off an impressive 2-1 win at the Emirates.  

via ESPN

It was all positive around the Emirates Stadium. With a 72%-win probability according to Flashscore, fans were sure the Gunners would be able to widen the gap. 

“The Premier League title is staring at us in the face,” said Arsenal supporter and influencer Matthew Pincus before the match. 

Kickoff began, and the Gunners were immediately on the attack with chances created by Noni Madueke and heavy pressing from Viktor Gyökeres. Silence filled the Emirates as Ben White’s failure to track Adrien Truffert’s run into a brilliant pass from Ryan Christie allowed Junior Kroupi to score from a cross and give the Cherries the lead in the 16th minute. Both sides proceeded to be up and down the field, with the Cherries defensively strong and the Gunners offensively threatening. It was this offensive strength that made Christie concede a penalty for handball in the 35th minute, allowing Gyökeres to equalize. 

via Facebook @MrRayband

The second half presented many errors from the Gunners. Dispossession, misplaced passes and poor defending gave the Cherries the chance to find their way back into the game. Mirroring the goal conceded in the first half, Martin Zubimendi loses track of Alex Scott’s run, allowing him to score the winner in the 75th minute. Arteta spoke after the game and stated his side “did a lot of strange things” while also admitting they had “really bad defending” moments. 

via SkySports

Arsenal’s next league game will be against the runners-up at the Etihad. Man City beating the would-be champions would create a very tight race for the title, possibly bringing the decision to the final match day.  

FOLLOW OUR TIKTOK: @prftbl12

City’s game at home against Arsenal will be their third meeting of the season, with their most recent being City’s 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final. The third and final meeting between the two sides could decide which of the two will lift the Premier League title at the end of the season.