Arteta describes Bournemouth defeat as 'a major setback' and calls on Arsenal to respond

Junior Kroupi put the away side ahead deservedly after 17 minutes, before Viktor Gyokeres dragged a struggling Arsenal level via a penalty kick.

However, Alex Scott put Bournemouth back in front in the 74th minute, and Artetas side could not muster a comeback, resulting in their second league loss at home this term.

The Gunners still hold a nine-point lead over second-placed Manchester City with six games remaining, yet Peps team, holding two matches in reserve, are firmly back in contention for the championship.

The rivals clash next Sunday at the Etihad Stadium in what could prove a decisive encounter for the title.

"Its a big punch in the face, thats what I said to the boys, and now its about how we react to that," admitted a downcast Arteta.

"We were very far from the level that weve shown," he continued.

"Thats for certain, especially in certain areas that are critical, and when you play against a team like Bournemouth, they were very clear.

"But again, I dont want to criticise any player, especially here, publicly."

Arsenal, who seemed set for an historic quadruple only weeks back, have now endured three successive losses in home competitions.

They stay the frontrunners for their first Premier League crown since 2004, after three straight runner-up spots.

Mental challenge

Yet Arteta conceded he has a significant task in motivating his squad psychologically.

"We know what is at stake, and the fact that as a club we havent done it for so long is a reason for that," stated the Spaniard.

"It talks about the difficulty, but I just want to focus on the things that we can control, dominate, and we have done.

"Its not that we have to do a lot of new things that we havent done, no, lets keep doing a lot of it, or almost all the things that weve done for nine months, because thats what has taken us all the way there."

The Arsenal manager emphasised the urgent need for his key starters to return.

Missing on Saturday were Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.

"We need everything, first of all, we need everybody fit and available," he noted.

"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 were going to be much stronger.

"And then the other ones, they need to stand up, me, the first one, and embrace this challenge and go for it.

"So today we have to suffer. Its painful, its 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, Im sure we would all take it."

Arsenal host Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday, following a 1-0 victory in the opener.

Four days afterwards looms the crucial showdown at City that may define their campaign.