Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard did not hold back in his assessment of the Gunners’ shock 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, labelling the second-half performance “not acceptable” and urging his teammates to respond in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite taking the lead through Declan Rice in the first half, Arsenal collapsed in the final 25 minutes as goals from Dean Huijsen and Justin Kluivert handed the visitors a historic win—completing their first-ever league double over Arsenal.
Ødegaard, visibly frustrated in his post-match interview, summed up the mood in the dressing room. “Massive disappointment,” he said. “It is too chaotic and too sloppy from us. The second half is not acceptable.”
**Lack of Composure Proves Costly**
Arsenal dominated possession and created numerous chances but failed to convert their superiority into goals. Ødegaard was among the more active players in midfield, but his usual precision and control were undermined by a disjointed team performance in the second half.
“The way we allowed them to get back into the game is not good enough,” he added. “We didn’t stick to our principles, we lost focus, and they punished us.”
This latest setback comes at the worst possible time, just days before Arsenal travel to Paris for the decisive second leg of their Champions League semi-final. The Gunners trail PSG after a narrow defeat at home, and the pressure is now mounting on Mikel Arteta’s side to deliver in Europe to salvage what has become a faltering end to the season.
**Eyes on PSG Redemption**
Ødegaard remained focused on the challenge ahead, calling on his teammates to channel their frustration into a winning performance at the Parc des Princes. “It is a massive game on Wednesday, but we have to use today to be ready and beat PSG,” he insisted.
With Liverpool already crowned Premier League champions, Arsenal’s hopes of silverware rest squarely on their European campaign. Having already stunned Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, the North Londoners know they are capable of producing on the big stage—but their inconsistency remains a concern.
Arteta is expected to make changes for the PSG clash, with Thomas Partey likely to return to midfield and Jurrien Timber pushing for a start in defence. Ødegaard, as captain, will be pivotal in lifting the team’s morale and ensuring the mistakes of Saturday are not repeated in Paris.
**No Margin for Error**
Arsenal fans will be hoping that Ødegaard’s honest words are the spark needed to reignite the team. A Champions League final is still within reach, but only if Arsenal can produce a far more disciplined and determined performance than they did against Bournemouth.
The Gunners have shown resilience before this season. Now, their captain is demanding it once more—this time, with everything on the line.