Last weekend was particularly tumultuous for European football, with results that reshaped the dynamics in the major leagues. In this context, Arsenal experienced a true disappointment, while other teams took advantage of the situation to advance in the title race.
A Nightmare Weekend for Arsenal
Arsenal endured one of the worst weekends of its season, recording its first defeat in official competition against Bournemouth, with a score of 2-0. Meanwhile, its main rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, both won their matches against Wolverhampton and Chelsea, taking a significant lead in the standings.
The match was marked by the expulsion of William Saliba, which occurred as early as the 30th minute, bringing the total number of red cards received by Arsenal to three in just eight Premier League matches this season. This sanction deprives the team of its central defender for the crucial match against Liverpool scheduled for next weekend.
Without winger Bukayo Saka, Arsenal failed to impose its style of play, suffering constant pressure from Bournemouth, whose pressing effectively disrupted the Gunners’ intentions. Despite a few opportunities to reduce the deficit, notably a missed shot by Gabriel Martinelli when the score was still 0-0, Arsenal could not make a comeback in the match.
With this defeat, Arsenal now finds itself three points behind Manchester City and four points behind Liverpool, a delicate situation that complicates its title ambitions.
Other Notable Results from the Weekend
In Serie A, Napoli continues to shine, remaining at the top of the standings thanks to a victory against Empoli, while Bayern Munich has regained its effectiveness with a commanding 4-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart, highlighted by a hat trick from Harry Kane. This demonstrates the intense competition that reigns in the various European leagues.
The most captivating match took place between Southampton and Leicester, who engaged in a fierce battle, ending with a 3-2 victory for Leicester, offering a glimmer of hope for their season.
Overall, this weekend was rich in twists, but for Arsenal, it is a period to quickly forget if the team wants to maintain its ambitions for this season.
Source: www.espn.co.uk