"We can't make silly mistakes" - Declan Rice slams Arsenal's 'naivety' after William Saliba's red card in Bournemouth loss
Declan Rice has slammed Arsenal for being careless after William Saliba's red card in their 2-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday (19 October). The Englishman insists that the Gunners cannot continue making unnecessary errors.
Arsenal were handed their first defeat of the Premier League season at the Vitality Stadium this weekend. The fixture's turning point came at the half-hour mark when William Saliba was sent off for a last-man foul on Evanilson.
The France international brought down the Bournemouth striker near the half-line and referee Rob Jones initially brandished a yellow card. However, after an on-field monitor review at the request of the VAR, Jones changed his decision to a red.
While they saw out the first period, a ten-man Arsenal failed to keep Bournemouth at bay in the second half as goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert secured all three points for the Cherries.
Speaking after the game, Rice told reporters (via ESPN):
"We've kicked ourselves in the foot three times in eight games and we got away with it at home to Brighton and away at Manchester City. Bournemouth kept probing and made it 2-0."
"I'm proud of the players for fighting, even with 10 men, but the naivety, we need to stop making mistakes because you want 11 players for 90 minutes and that's what wins you football matches."
"We can't make silly mistakes. You need all your best players on the pitch at all times. The belief is so high and we will stick together. This is football, whatever happens the most important thing is that you stick together and stay in the right direction."
William Saliba will miss Arsenal's crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool on 27 October through suspension as a result of the red card.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaks on Gabriel Martinelli missing 'big chance' in Bournemouth loss
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta lamented Gabriel Martinelli's missed chance against Bournemouth, admitting that the result could've been different if the Brazilian found the back of the net.
Martinelli replaced Leandro Trossard in the 64th minute. Shortly after he came on, the Brazilian had a golden opportunity to give Arsenal the lead. A sloppy pass from Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga landed at Mikel Merino's feet.
The Spanish midfielder played Martinelli through at the edge of the box but he failed to put it past Arrizabalaga. A minute later, Bournemouth's Ryan Christie put his side ahead.
Speaking about the chance, Arteta said after the game (via the aforementioned outlet's report):
"We had the big chance and the moment in the game to score and have a different result and then we conceded a goal. We try to stick to the rules. The three [red cards] have been different ones and three very different outcomes."
"The team tried, the effort with 10 men was fantastic but today it was not enough to win the game. It took us a while to understand what we had do in the first 15 minutes to start with, then we grabbed the game but after 30 minutes the game changed."