Arsenal vs Bournemouth: Yannick Bolasie fires ‘safety first’ dig as Gunners slip up
Arsenal slipped up in the Premier League title race to Bournemouth, and Yannick Bolasie was on hand to rub salt into the wounds.
Viktor Gyokeres provided hope that the Gunners wouldn’t fall to defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 11 April, notching from the penalty spot, only for the party to be spoiled.
Eli Kroupi Junior and Alex Scott were both on hand to sink Mikel Arteta’s side, meaning that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team remain nine points behind, with two games in hand.
Arsenal needed a victory against Bournemouth, but it is fair to say that Crystal Palace’s former winger was far from surprised while watching the game unfold, hitting out at their tactics on social media.
Yannick Bolasie blasts Arsenal’s tactics vs Bournemouth
The Gunners had 53 per cent of the possession, and in the second half, that rose even higher to 56 per cent. With just three shots on target in the entire game, though, the Cherries were deserved winners.
Taking to X (11 April) during the game, Bolasie wrote: “Of course your pass rate’s gonna be 95 per cent if you’re always passing backwards and side-to-side.
“The same way your wingers, who don’t lose the ball, aren’t trying to take on the full-backs… Safety first,” with a sleeping emoji, hitting out halfway through the second half at the Emirates.
Scott’s eventual winner came in the 74th minute. That meant that the Gunners had plenty of time to find an equaliser in North London, but instead, were greeted by a chorus of boos at the full-time whistle.
What did Mikel Arteta make of the defeat?
The Arsenal manager was very honest in his evaluation of the result, having been desperate for their supporters to get to the stadium ahead of a huge Premier League clash.
In his post-match press conference, he said, “It’s a big punch in the face. Now it’s about how we react to that,” but the home fans have taken the result at the Emirates well.
Supporters have also made their feelings known about Arteta ahead of the summer, with some beginning to believe that this could be his final campaign in charge.
Mick Brown told Football Insider conversations over Arteta’s future are only going to grow, and they could be accelerated should his team not lift silverware in the 2025-26 campaign.
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