- Arsenal beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth
- Yannick Bolasie critical of David Raya and Gunners
- Ex-Crystal Palace star takes aim at their passing statistics
Former Crystal Palace star Yannick Bolasie has given a grim verdict on Arsenal and David Raya after their shock 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth. The Gunners were deservedly beaten and the Premier League title race has been blown wide open.
Eli Junior Kroupi gave the Cherries the lead in the 17th minute from close range. But Viktor Gyokeres levelled from the penalty spot in the 35th minute.
Arsenal collapsed, and Andoni Iraola’s men capitalised at the Emirates when Alex Scott bagged a 74th-minute winner. The English midfielder found the back of the net with an excellent strike.
Bolasie Rips Into ‘Safety First’ Arsenal
Bournemouth’s winner was superbly worked and was the kind of football that contrasts with how many feel Arsenal have performed this season. There were many dissapointing displays from the hosts but Raya in particular put in a disastrous showing.
Bolasie alluded to this when analysing the game on his X account. He called out the Spanish goalkeeper:
“All comes from Raya dancing on the ball like he has all game, when your back line is touching the ball more than any offensive players it’s a big problem, dead stats people get rated for these days.”
The former Palace winger also tore into the Gunners’ passing statistics:
“Of corse your pass rates gonna be 95% if your always passing backwards and side to side, same way wingers who don’t lose the ball aren’t trying to take on the full backs….safety first.”
He added:
“Raya passing the ball more than Declan Rice or Zubimendi is the strange thing about football today, the players with the least attacking ability touching and passing the most.”
Arsenal’s defeat means they remain nine points ahead of Manchester City ahead of the Citizens’ clash with Chelsea tomorrow. Doubts are starting to creep in over Arteta’s men ending the club’s 22-year title drought.
Crystal Palace’s Iraola Interest
Iraola’s stock continues to grow at Bournemouth and the win over Arsenal was another feather in his cap. The Spaniard’s future is somewhat uncertain heading into a summer in which his contract expires.
Palace reportedly placed the Cherries boss at their top of their shortlist as they search for Oliver Glasner replacements. But it is thought that he prefers to either stay at the Vitality Stadium or take charge of one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Iraola has overseen 45 wins and 41 defeats in 121 games in charge of the south coast outfit. The win against Arteta’s Gunners means his side sit ninth in the table, just two points off European qualification.
