Ed Aarons at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal manager says players must show character Iraola hails statement victory after run of draws Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth was “a big punch in the face” and said his players must show more character if they are going to end their 22-year wait to be crowned Premier League champions. Alex Scott struck the winning goal 16 minutes from time after Viktor Gyökeres had equalised from the spot for a nervy Arsenal after Eli Junior Kroupi’s opener. It means Manchester City now have a chance to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to six points with a game still in hand when they face Chelsea on Sunday, with Arsenal travelling to the Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

For Arsenal’s longsuffering supporters, the emotional strain is reaching unbearable levels. They could only watch in stunned disbelief as Alex Scott’s goal 16 minutes from time condemned the Premier League leaders to a defeat Mikel Arteta must fear could prove to be extremely significant. While Arsenal’s advantage over Manchester City remains nine points for now, another loss at the Etihad next Sunday would give City an opportunity to draw level on points if they beat Chelsea on Sunday and then win their game in hand against Crystal Palace. Having set the pace since the start of October, that is the nightmare scenario Arsenal must confront after another disappointing performance that once more belied their anxieties at this crucial stage of the season.