In a stunning upset at the Emirates Stadium on May 3, 2025, Arsenal’s hopes of building momentum for their Champions League semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain were dashed by a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth. The loss, which marked Bournemouth’s first-ever Premier League win at Arsenal and completed a historic league double over the Gunners, left captain Martin Odegaard seething. The Norwegian midfielder, known for his composure, didn’t hold back, branding his teammates’ second-half performance “not acceptable” and “too sloppy.” With Arsenal’s season at a critical juncture, Odegaard’s impassioned critique signals a rallying cry as the team braces for a defining week.
The match began with promise for Arsenal, who took the lead through Declan Rice’s first-half goal, assisted by a pinpoint Odegaard pass. The Gunners controlled possession and seemed poised to cruise to victory, a crucial boost ahead of their trip to Paris, where they trail PSG 1-0 on aggregate. But the second half unraveled spectacularly. Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola’s astute leadership, capitalized on set-piece frailties. Dean Huijsen, a reported Arsenal transfer target, equalized with a free header from Antoine Semenyo’s long throw in the 67th minute. Eight minutes later, Evanilson bundled in a corner at the back post, outmuscling Odegaard, who offered little resistance. “It’s not acceptable to concede two goals like that,” Odegaard fumed post-match. “It’s something we have to talk about and make sure we improve.”
Odegaard’s frustration was palpable. “We started the game pretty well—we got the goal and felt like we controlled pretty much everything, but they score and we lose control of the game,” he told reporters. “It was a bit too chaotic, and a bit wild, and we lost momentum. The second half was very far from good enough from us.” The defeat, Arsenal’s third in their last six games across all competitions, saw them drop 21 points from winning positions this season, a statistic that underscores their vulnerability. “We’re very disappointed,” Odegaard added. “We wanted to come here and have a really good game, get a win—for our position in the league and also to create the momentum into next week.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. Arsenal, sitting second in the Premier League, now lead fifth-placed Manchester City by just three points, with Newcastle poised to close the gap to two if they beat Brighton. The loss compounds a shaky run, including a 1-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League first leg, where Odegaard’s lackluster display drew scrutiny. “It didn’t create positive momentum but it’s created a lot of anger, frustration, rage, disappointment,” he admitted, channeling those emotions toward Wednesday’s must-win clash in Paris. “It’s a massive game. That’s the good thing—when you’re disappointed now and you’re angry and frustrated, you can use all those emotions.”
Mikel Arteta, equally incensed, echoed his captain’s sentiments. “We have a lot to do, yes, because mathematically we are not qualified,” he said, referring to Arsenal’s fight for a top-five finish to secure Champions League qualification. “Let’s use all of that on Wednesday.” The decision to field a near-full-strength lineup against Bournemouth, unlike PSG’s 10 changes for their Ligue 1 match, backfired, exposing defensive lapses and a lack of final-third incisiveness. Odegaard’s own performance, despite the assist, was marred by being overpowered for the winning goal, fueling fan criticism of his form. “Odegaard’s confidence looks shot,” one observer noted, pointing to his meager two set-piece assists in the Premier League this season, a far cry from his 15 goals and 10 assists in 2022-23.
Yet, Odegaard’s leadership shone through his call for unity. “We’re disappointed now, but we have to move on and be strong and stick together,” he urged, rallying his squad for the PSG showdown. With tough league fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle looming, Arsenal’s season hangs in the balance. Bournemouth’s historic triumph, their first league double over Arsenal, exposed frailties that Odegaard and Arteta must address swiftly. As the Gunners head to Paris, Odegaard’s anger could be the spark that reignites their campaign—or a warning of deeper cracks in their title aspirations.