MIKEL ARTETA’S honeymoon period could be over before it even got underway.
The Gunners boss, making his debut in the dugout, saw his side fall behind at Bournemouth after just 35 minutes.
Mikel Arteta has plenty of work on his handsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was a case of a new gaffer but same old problems as Arsenal’s frail defence were exposed once again.
Bukayo Saka gave away possession in a dangerous area and he was duly punished.
Jack Stacey and Callum Wilson combined before pulling it back into the path of Dan Gosling who couldn’t miss.
And although Rome wasn’t built in a day, it’s fair to say Arsenal fans were less than impressed with their first-half performance.
Taking to Twitter, one fumed: “Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal concede from the first shot on target they have faced.”
Another added: “New manager, same old Arsenal if that first half at the Vitality is anything to go. Poor body language, poor execution, and a real test for the new boss already.”
A third said: “We could have Pep Guardiola as manager, Jürgen Klopp assistant manager, Arsène Wenger head coach and still this bunch of gutless players would still not have a shot on target.”
Arteta reintroduced Alexandre Lacazette to the starting XI but has so far struggled to spark the Gunners into life.
The Spaniard will be fully aware of Arsenal’s ability to leak goals and will hope to address the issue in January by landing defensive midfielder Adrien Rabiot from Juventus.
Dan Gosling took advantage of some poor Arsenal defendingCredit: AFP or licensors
Mikel Arteta completes first deal as Arsenal boss as he ties youngster Harry Clarke to new long-term contract
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
