'We have to be better' - Iraola's message to players after AFC Bournemouth thumped by Arsenal

AFC Bournemouth are still searching for their first league victory this season, after a 4-0 home defeat to Arsenal

AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola admitted his side were not at a “certain level” against Arsenal and declared: “We have to be better."

The Cherries boss saw his charges humbled 4-0 at home by the Gunners at Vitality Stadium, thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Ben White. 

They came either side of converted spot-kicks from Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, as the Dorset club remain on the hunt for their first Premier League victory of the campaign. 

Giving his reaction to the contest to afcbTV, Iraola said:  “I think the game required a certain level that we didn’t give. 

“To face an opponent like Arsenal, we have to be at a very high level for us and we weren’t there. 

“I think we started the game quite well but after the one we conceded, I think the game went to their side.”

The Gunners opened the scoring after 17 minutes. Odegaard’s dangerous left-footed cross found the head of Gabriel Jesus. 

The Brazilian forward’s effort clipped the frame of the goal before Saka was on hand to turn in from close range. 

Skipper Odegaard then doubled the visitors’ advantage a minute before half-time. 

He coolly dispatched a penalty, sending home keeper Neto the wrong way after Eddie Nketiah was wiped out by a sliding challenge from Max Aarons inside the box.

Another spot-kick was awarded to Mikel Arteta’s men eight minutes after the interval. Odegaard was judged to have been fouled after a sliding challenge from Ryan Christie. 

Despite the Scotsman’s protests, referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the spot and the decision stood.

Former Chelsea man Kai Havertz this time slotted home from 12 yards to record his first goal for the club. 

A miserable afternoon for Cherries was then compounded in second-half stoppage time. Odegaard’s free-kick on the angle was headed in by Poole-born Ben White to make it four for the rampant visitors. 

Defeated at Vitality Stadium. pic.twitter.com/IzE1GZbxF5

— AFC Bournemouth ?? (@afcbournemouth) September 30, 2023

After a tough run of fixtures to begin their top-flight campaign, Cherries are now 18th in the table, with three points coming from seven games played. 

Asked what his message was to the players after full-time, Iraola said: “We have to be better. Obviously we have some minimums that everybody is going to run, try to fight. 

“But we need to improve, we need to be better – especially in both ends. The first half we conceded two goals without a lot of tenure.

“We had a lot of touches inside their box. In the end they defended really well, they blocked almost everything but those are where games are decided.” 

Three important clashes now await Iraola’s men. They make the trip to Everton on Saturday, before hosting Wolves and Burnley after the October international break.