Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described his team’s 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday as a “big punch in the face” and emphasized the need for mental resilience as their Premier League title pursuit faces increasing pressure.

Bournemouth took an early lead through Junior Kroupi in the 17th minute. Arsenal responded when Viktor Gyokeres converted a penalty to level the score, but the visitors regained the advantage in the 74th minute via Alex Scott. Arsenal was unable to mount a comeback, marking their second home loss of the league campaign and their third consecutive domestic defeat.

Despite the setback, Arsenal remains atop the Premier League standings with a nine-point lead over second-place Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side, which held a game in hand and was scheduled to play Chelsea on Sunday, remains in contention for the title. The two clubs are set to meet in the next league round at the Etihad Stadium in a match widely viewed as a potential title decider.

Arteta highlighted the psychological challenge his squad must overcome following recent results. “We know what is at stake, and the fact that, as a club, we haven’t done it for so long is a reason for that,” the Spaniard said. He acknowledged that Arsenal’s performance against Bournemouth fell short of their usual standards, particularly in critical areas, but refrained from publicly criticizing individual players.

The manager also underlined the importance of player availability in reinforcing the team’s strength. Arsenal was without key figures including Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori against Bournemouth. “We need everybody fit and available,” Arteta said. “The ones that are not with us—big, important players—we need them immediately because then we’ll be much stronger.”

In looking ahead, Arteta called on his squad and himself to “stand up” and embrace the challenge. He acknowledged the psychological difficulty but urged focus on maintaining the standards that brought the club to its current position. “Today, we have to suffer. It’s painful, it’s a terrible feeling, but tomorrow is a different day,” he added, reflecting on the club’s progress this season.

Arsenal will next face Sporting CP in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg on Wednesday after securing a 1-0 advantage in the first match. Four days later, the Premier League clash with Manchester City will provide a critical test that could significantly influence the outcome of the title race.