Odegaard delivers blunt message as Arsenal defeat | OneFootball

With the Champions League semi-final on the horizon, Arsenal’s captain delivers a sobering message after a costly Premier League setback at the Emirates.

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Martin Odegaard described Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth as “not acceptable” after the Gunners surrendered a first-half lead at the Emirates on Saturday.

Odegaard had assisted Declan Rice’s opener midway through the first half in what looked to be a routine afternoon for a side unbeaten in their previous eight league matches. But two goals conceded from set pieces turned the game on its head, leaving Arsenal’s captain to deliver a blunt post-match verdict.

“We’re very disappointed,” he said. “We wanted to come here today and have a really good game, get a win – for our position in the league and also to create the momentum into next week.”

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Despite controlling possession and territory early on, Arsenal failed to capitalise beyond their single goal, and once Bournemouth equalised, they disintegrated.

“I think we controlled pretty much everything until they scored and then it was a bit too chaotic, and a bit wild, and we lost momentum. We didn’t really play our game after that,” Odegaard said.

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The second half saw Arsenal pinned back by their own carelessness. Poor organisation at a corner led to the second goal, and despite late pressure, there was no response.

“The second half was very far from good enough from us,” Odegaard said. “It’s not acceptable to concede two goals like that. It’s something we have to talk about and make sure we improve.”

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With the defeat dealing another blow to hopes of holding on to second in the league, attention now turns to the Champions League, where Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday, trailing 1-0.

“It’s a massive game,” Odegaard said. “That’s the good thing, when you’re disappointed now and you’re angry and frustrated, you can use all those emotions into Wednesday.

“We know what we’re playing for, it’s a massive game, we have to stick together and create energy and be ready.”