{"id":2085,"date":"2026-04-12T06:38:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T06:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2085"},"modified":"2026-04-12T06:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T06:38:32","slug":"mikel-artetas-punch-in-the-face-remark-after-arsenal-defeat-and-boos-from-fuming-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2085","title":{"rendered":"Mikel Arteta&#8217;s &#8216;punch in the face&#8217; remark after Arsenal defeat and boos from fuming fans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_790335\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in a huge blow to the Gunners&#8217; Premier League title hopes, and Mikel Arteta was understandably upset<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">15:49, 11 Apr 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 15:57, 11 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33753943\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mikel Arteta made his feelings clear after Arsenal's defeat to Bournemouth.\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753943.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Screenshot-2026-04-11-at-153915.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753943.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Screenshot-2026-04-11-at-153915.png 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753943.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Screenshot-2026-04-11-at-153915.png 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753943.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Screenshot-2026-04-11-at-153915.png 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mikel Arteta made his feelings clear after Arsenal's defeat to Bournemouth.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mikel Arteta made his feelings clear after Arsenal&#8217;s defeat to Bournemouth.<cite aria-label=\"Image: TNT Sports\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: TNT Sports)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mikel Arteta says Arsenal&#8217;s defeat to Bournemouth was &#8216;a big punch in the face&#8217; with the Gunners missing the opportunity to move 12 points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pep Guardiola&#8217;s side head to Chelsea tomorrow looking to close the gap and now have two games in hand on the Gunners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal were nine points clear ahead of kick-off this afternoon, but their recent poor run of form has raised eyebrows. Junior Kroupi opened the scoring for Bournemouth after 17 minutes, before Viktor Gyokeres equalised from the spot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Gunners have had a month or so to forget; in contention for a historic quadruple, to crashing out of the FA Cup and defeat to Man City in the Carabao Cup Final.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They responded with a win over Sporting in the Champions League in midweek, but Alex Scott&#8217;s strike in the 74th minute meant Bournemouth would leave north London with all three points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootball\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football&#8217;s Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking to TNT Sports at full-time, Arteta said: &#8220;Disappointing. It&#8217;s a big punch in the face and it&#8217;s about how we react now. They are a team who haven&#8217;t lost for 11 games for a reason, they did a lot right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We were far from efficient. The first chance they had to attack the box, it&#8217;s a deflection, a bad defending action and it&#8217;s a goal. That&#8217;s something we have to recover from.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The second half you expect a different game. We did a lot of strange things today. We have been very consistent. This can happen, this is football.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33753655\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33753655\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753655.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2270291136.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753655.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2270291136.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753655.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2270291136.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33753655.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2270291136.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Mikel Arteta manager \/ head coach  of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA\/Getty Images)\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">LONDON, ENGLAND &#8211; APRIL 11: Mikel Arteta manager \/ head coach  of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill &#8211; AMA\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">When asked if the players were hurting after the defeat, the Gunners boss said: &#8220;A lot. It has to hurt. They have to take it on the chin. You stand up and go for the fight or you&#8217;re out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a big week. A lot at stake. We&#8217;re still in a good position in both competitions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">City can close the gap to Arsenal with a win over Chelsea tomorrow afternoon, before the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium next weekend in a huge clash at the top.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If results go against the Gunners, they could be second in the Premier League table by the time they next take to the field at the Emirates, with City set to play Burnley in their game in hand after the clash at the Etihad.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article29688868.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in a huge blow to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2085"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}