Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, highlighting the impact of William Saliba's red card and missed opportunities in a game that saw the Gunners lose their unbeaten start to the season.
Saliba was sent off in the 30th minute following a clumsy challenge on Evanilson, leaving Arsenal to play with 10 men for the third time in just eight Premier League matches this season. Speaking to BBC's Match of the Day, Arteta acknowledged how difficult it is to compete in such situations.
"It's very difficult to win in the Premier League with 10 men for 60-70 minutes, it's just an accident waiting to happen," Arteta said. "We have had to go through it in three games and that cost us the game."
Despite the setback, Arsenal created key opportunities to score but failed to capitalize. Arteta lamented those missed chances, especially during a crucial period before Bournemouth's opening goal. "We had the big chance and the moment in the game to score and have a different result and then we conceded a goal."
Bournemouth took control of the match in the second half. Ryan Christie broke the deadlock in the 70th minute, followed by Justin Kluivert's penalty nine minutes later, securing the win for the home side.
Arteta acknowledged the importance of discipline, noting the difference red cards have made this season. "We try to stick to the rules. The three [red cards] have been different ones and three very different outcomes," he said.
Despite the loss, Arteta praised his team's effort in trying to cope with the numerical disadvantage: "The team tried, the effort with 10 men was fantastic, but today it was not enough to win the game."
Reflecting on the match, Arteta admitted that Arsenal struggled in the opening stages but improved before Saliba’s dismissal changed the game. "It took us a while to understand what we had to do in the first 15 minutes... then we grabbed the game, but after 30 minutes the game changed."
With tough fixtures looming against Liverpool, Newcastle, and Chelsea, Arteta will hope his team can regroup quickly and avoid further disciplinary setbacks in their pursuit of Premier League success.
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