Arsenal

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have it all to do in the Champions League as they look to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat and win at Paris St-Germain on Wednesday to reach the final.

The thing they needed before that was momentum with a win. Failing that at least a good performance against Bournemouth but ultimately they delivered neither.

Mikel Arteta also appeared to agree that momentum was needed as he named a strong side against the Cherries and although Declan Rice gave them a first-half lead, the performance was never convincing.

Bournemouth had chances before the Arsenal opener but found their finishing lacking and in the end it was set-pieces that proved key.

The Gunners are usually so strong from them but instead it was Bournemouth who made the most of theirs, scoring from a long throw and a corner.

It was the first time they had conceded two goals from set-piece situations in the same Premier League game since December 2023.

It also means the Gunners have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their joint-most ever in a single campaign (also 21 in 2019-20).

The season is ending disappointingly for Arsenal, unless they can use this defeat as motivation to upset the odds and win in Paris.

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola spoke to Sky Sports after Bournemouth's victory against Arsenal: "I liked the game overall. I think we had chances. They scored but we played well. The key was the set plays in the second half. In the end in these close games to make the difference with the set plays was the key to take the three points.

On staying patient: "I think we have been at half time talking about a good first half. They [Arsenal] are going to have chances but we were playing well, having a lot of the ball, taking good positions. It was a matter of doing the same thing, pushing a bit more, and I think the subs also helped us. Antoine [Semenyo] coming from the bench was a good spark at that moment when both teams were tired.

On Semenyo's long throws: "Yes we hardly score any, that's the first one. We conceded two or three this season. We have a couple of players who can put in dangerous throws. Today [the throw] was longer than I expected, but it's a nice moment to score this type of goal."

On goalscorer Dean Huijsen: "I think he is playing very well. Even in this scenario being on the ball he was confident. It's dfficult to defend everything. I think it's the third goal he's scored on set plays, he's our biggest threat there and he's helping us a lot."

On getting three points: "I think we needed this one because we know the schedule we have. Arsenal, Villa, City, you have to get points where you don't expect. We missed a few chances recently and we needed it this time to go to our side."

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Arsenal's defeat against Bournemouth: "We started the game and a lot of the things we wanted happened.

"We should have killed the game and we didn't. On top of that if you defend your box in two set-pieces in the way we have done you're in big, big, trouble.

"We should have put the game to bed. We defended really poorly, nowhere near the standards that we are used to.

"We want to generate the momentum - we haven't. What we have created is frustration, rage and anger - we have to make sure we use that on Wednesday."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their joint-most ever in a single campaign (also 21 in 2019-20).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (12:30)

• Everton v Ipswich Town - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester City v Southampton

• Arsenal v Bournemouth (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

We know how dangerous Bournemouth are because they beat Arsenal in October, and if Mikel Arteta rests players then this game becomes even harder for the Gunners.

It is a tricky situation for Arteta, because he will want to head to Paris St-Germain for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with a bit of momentum, but he has got to balance that with the risk of injury to his key players.

Bournemouth's form has improved of late, and the circumstances mean they definitely have a decent chance of doing the double over Arsenal this season.

This all boils down to what the Arsenal team is, so it is difficult to make a call without knowing that, but they are at home and even if they are not at full strength then I can still see them getting a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

England defender Kyle Walker speaks to former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown about the rise of Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, and the former Tottenham team-mate he reminds him of.

Listen to the full episode of The Kyle Walker Podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Earlier, we asked you to name the current Arsenal player from a series of clues.

The correct answer is William Saliba.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said he will "assess how the squad is on Saturday and see who I have available to start and as subs", but Thomas Partey is likely to play after serving his European suspension.

• Riccardo Calafiori remains unavailable, as do Jorginho and Kai Havertz.

• Arteta would not say what Jorginho's injury is but said it has been "more complicated than expected" so that is why he has been absent for longer than planned.

• He hopes to have Jorginho and Havertz back before the end of the season but it will depend on their rehabilitation going to plan.

• On how proud he is of what Arsenal have achieved this season despite one of the worst injury records in the league: "I was very shocked just before the game at PSG at home. I saw Takehiro Tomiyasu, Calafiori, Partey, Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho all together in the dressing room. That could have been a starting line-up and we don't have them, and we haven't for months. No-one is talking about it in the building, but that's happening. I am proud of them."

• He said Liverpool winning the title hurts him "big time" but he praised Arne Slot's side for their consistency, before adding that they "deserved it".

• On their being a 99.6% chance of a top-five finish according to the Opta 'supercomputer': "The message is very clear. We have to earn the right to win the game tomorrow and be better than Bournemouth. The only thing we can control is our performances and emotional state. We haven't achieved what we wanted [in the league]."

• He praised Declan Rice for "consistency in the way he has performed and adapted to the team and to the club" in what could be his 100th appearance for Arsenal. Arteta added: "An unbelievable signing."

Listen to live commentary of Arsenal vs Bournemouth on BBC Radio 5 Live at 17:30 on Saturday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have failed to win nine Premier League games where they have led so far this season, more than in the previous two campaigns combined (four in 2022-23, four in 2023-24).

They have never failed to win 10 games from winning positions in a single season before.

Guess the current Arsenal player from these three clues:

• I represented my country at Euro 2024 and reached the semi-final stage.

• I played every minute of every Premier League game for Arsenal during the 2023-24 season.

• I scored a goal in the 2-0 win against Manchester United in December.

Come back to this page at 17:00 BST for the answer

Arsenal could face a battle with Paris St-Germain to sign Roma's 25-year-old Ivory Coast defender Evan Ndicka, who is valued between £25-34m. (Mirror, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Is Mikel Arteta's energy harming Arsenal?

Rory Smith, Julien Laurens and Stephen Warnock discuss how his "remonstrating and demonstrations" may have "set the tone" for the Gunners' "nervous" first-half performance against Paris Saint-Germain.

And if you want to remind yourself of the action on Tuesday, the highlights are below.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Thomas Partey's absence in Arsenal's 1-0 defeat by Paris St-Germain and how important his return could be in the second leg.

Here are some of your comments:

Kwame: A big miss. No wonder Declan Rice was so furious when the yellow card incident occurred. He knew.

Guy R: I think Partey is important to how Arsenal play. Missing any of your starting XI is bound to have an impact. He provides stability to the midfield and allows Rice and Martin Odegaard more freedom. Lots of speculation of him going with Martin Zubimendi being bought in and I think that would be a good move for Arsenal.

Ed: Not sure those stats tell the whole picture, not least because the stats including Partey will include games with him playing at right-back, when we are usually terrible! Also suspect that Partey has missed more 'smaller' games. And finally, he has really stepped up this season so stats might be different for this season alone? The problem was that previously when we haven't had Partey, Jorginho has been a great deputy. He is a different style of player but he has done the job well whereas last night, we also had to move Rice and Merino, which completely disrupted our rhythm and balance.

Robin: Partey was a huge miss; however, we are still in the tie. Odegaard was poor albeit he can make the difference in Paris if he's on his A game.

Guy F: I don't think those stats give the full context. Partey is much more important right now as Merino looks like the best option up top and because Jorge is out too. The Rice/Odegaard/Merino midfield doesn't seem to gel properly, with all three preferring to play higher up the pitch. On top of that, Merino looks better at centre-forward than Leandro Trossard right now, so losing Partey means our attack is even weaker. Partey may have worse looking stats because he's been fit all this season when Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus have all been out, and the attack has struggled even more than usual.

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Nineteen years waiting for a Champions League semi-final and Arsenal were still caught cold.

The stats bear it out. For the first 20 minutes of their game against Paris St-Germain, Mikel Arteta's side were off the pace and unable to rise to the occasion.

After that? It was a different story - far more progressive, attacking and accurate.

But was it too late? Ousmane Dembele's goal in that opening spell ultimately decided the first leg and left the Gunners with a mountain to scale at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday.

With criticism of the club's pre-match Tifo rumbling on, Arteta will hope his players will respond to the raucous scenes in Paris as they did in Madrid for the quarter-final, standing firm before pushing back to win in style.

Victory in the French capital is the minimum requirement if they are to reach the Champions League final.

Starting hot will be the first step.