BREAKING NEWS: live from Emirates, “Don’t blame Saliba and Kiwior, at least they showed courage and commitment, blame this guy instead for ending our unbeaten streak “- Arsenal Legend Patrick Vieira puts blame on ‘horrible’ Arsenal player who was poor both defensively and offensively on Saturday against Bournemouth and had 3/10 rating.

Arsenal’s unbeaten streak in the 2024/25 Premier League season came to a disappointing end on Saturday, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The loss left Mikel Arteta’s side on 17 points, allowing rivals Manchester City and Liverpool the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table. For many, the game was expected to be a straightforward victory for the Gunners against a side managed by Arteta’s childhood friend, Andoni Iraola. However, the reality turned out to be very different, with the match exposing some of Arsenal’s vulnerabilities.

The Gunners’ troubles began in the first half when a crucial red card changed the course of the game. William Saliba was sent off after bringing down Evanilson, who was chasing a loose backpass from Leandro Trossard. The foul was deemed to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, leaving Arsenal to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. Following the red card, Bournemouth capitalized on the numerical advantage in the second half, with Ryan Christie scoring the opener from a well-executed set-piece. Their lead was doubled after Justin Kluivert converted a penalty, which was awarded after David Raya fouled Evanilson in the box.

After the match, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira weighed in on the team’s poor performance. While some blamed Saliba and Jakub Kiwior for their roles in the defeat, Vieira defended the two defenders, noting that they at least showed determination and effort. Instead, he directed his criticism towards another Arsenal player, whom he described as “horrible” both defensively and offensively during the game. Vieira emphasized that this player bore more responsibility for ending the team’s unbeaten run than the likes of Saliba and Kiwior, who were both put in challenging positions due to the circumstances of the game.

Arsenal’s Defensive Struggles Against Bournemouth

Saliba and Kiwior were indeed among the players whose performances came under scrutiny following the defeat. Saliba’s early red card undoubtedly hurt Arsenal’s chances, as his foul on Evanilson left the Gunners a man down and vulnerable at the back. Before his dismissal, the French center-back seemed unsettled when the former Porto forward surged past him, ultimately leading to the foul that earned Saliba a 4/10 rating from Football London’s Kaya Kaynak.

With Saliba off the pitch, Arteta had to reshuffle his lineup, bringing on Jakub Kiwior to replace Raheem Sterling, who was sacrificed due to the red card. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Kiwior struggled to make an impact. His passing accuracy was just 76%, and he only won two of his five duels while failing to complete his only attempted tackle. The Polish defender’s difficult day was further compounded when he played a backpass that put goalkeeper David Raya under pressure, leading to the foul that resulted in Bournemouth’s penalty. Kiwior’s subpar performance earned him a 5/10 rating from Kaynak, and he was substituted in the 81st minute despite coming on as a substitute himself.

Ben White’s Underwhelming Display

Ben White was another Arsenal player who found the going tough against Bournemouth, particularly after Saliba’s red card. The English defender’s responsibilities increased as Arsenal’s defensive organization was disrupted by the sending-off. Typically, White is known for his ability to push forward and contribute offensively, often overlapping on the right wing to deliver crosses. However, the need to maintain a more conservative position limited his forward movements and reduced his impact in the attacking third.

While White managed to complete 91% of his passes, his defensive statistics painted a different picture. He won only two of his five tackles and succeeded in just four out of nine duels overall. Additionally, he struggled to deal with Bournemouth winger Dango Ouattara on a few occasions, leading to further problems for Arsenal’s backline. White’s performance earned him a 5/10 rating from Kaynak, who acknowledged the challenging situation but still highlighted the defender’s struggles during the match.

A Missed Opportunity for Arsenal

The loss to Bournemouth was a significant setback for Arsenal, who missed a valuable opportunity to climb to the top of the Premier League table. The defeat highlighted the team’s defensive frailties, particularly when reduced to ten men, and raised questions about the depth and resilience of Arteta’s squad. The manager will now need to address these issues quickly, with a crucial midweek fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League looming.

Vieira’s pointed comments following the match suggest that some of Arsenal’s more experienced players need to take greater responsibility, especially during difficult moments like the one they faced on Saturday. For the Gunners, the key will be learning from this defeat and bouncing back with a stronger performance in their upcoming games. The focus will be on regrouping and ensuring that such lapses do not become a recurring theme, particularly with the intense competition at the top of the Premier League.

As Arsenal prepare for their next challenge, Arteta will be hoping for a swift response from his players, especially those who were below par against Bournemouth. The match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium provides an opportunity for redemption, and the Gunners will need to show their resilience to keep their aspirations for the season alive.