LONDON: Arsenal FC manager Mikel Arteta described the 1-2 defeat to Bournemouth today as a ‘pretty big blow’ while urging his players to bounce back as their Premier League (EPL) title challenge begins to falter.

Junior Kroupi put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute before Viktor Gyokeres revived Arsenal with a penalty in a difficult match.

But Alex Scott put Bournemouth back in front in the 74th minute, and Arsenal failed to find an equalizer and lost at home for the second time this season.

The Gunners still hold a nine-point lead over second-placed Manchester City with six games remaining, but Pep Guardiola’s side are now back in the title race with two games in hand.

The two teams are scheduled to meet at the Etihad next week in a match that could potentially be a championship decider.

“This is a big slap in the face, that’s what I told the players. Now we have to see how we respond.

“We were far from the real performance we usually show, especially in some critical parts when facing a team like Bournemouth who are very clear with their game.”

“But I don’t want to criticize any player publicly,” Arteta said.

Arsenal, who were on course to win the quadruple just a few weeks ago, have now suffered three consecutive defeats in domestic competition.

They are still considered favourites to win their first league title since 2004, despite finishing second in three consecutive seasons.

MANCHESTER: Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt believes Jose Mourinho could lead the club to greater heights if he returns to Old Trafford.

According to Butt, the Portuguese manager still has the magic touch, even though the club’s modern management approach is different than before.

“I will bring him back. He is a winner and can take the club.

“But the upper management will not allow it because they now prefer managers who focus only on coaching rather than controlling player transfer matters,” said Butt.

Michael Carrick is currently acting as caretaker manager at Old Trafford and will be considered for a permanent position at the end of the season after showing impressive performances.

Carrick managed to lead Manchester United to third place in the league, with only a poor finish thwarting their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

At the same time, Butt also suggested that former club academy player James Garner be recalled after showing excellent performances with Everton.

“He’s been incredible this season. He’s got everything – he can pass the ball, defend, tackle and run.

“He is indeed worthy and should be in the squad for the World Cup,” he said.

Manchester United are scheduled to face Leeds United on April 13, before crucial matches against Chelsea and traditional rivals Liverpool in the battle for a Champions League spot.

LIVERPOOL, England: Arne Slot hopes Mohamed Salah can end his legacy with Liverpool with glory when he describes the Egyptian star as a “legend” of the club’s life.

Salah announced last week that he would leave the English Premier League (EPL) champions at the end of this season after nine years and scoring 255 goals with the Reds so far.

The 33-year-old previously clashed with Slot in December when he claimed he had “no relationship” with the Dutchman after being dropped for three consecutive matches.

However, since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Salah has once again become the main choice in Liverpool’s difficult campaign this season.

Slot’s squad is currently fifth in the EPL and faces a tough challenge to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

However, the former Feyenoord coach still hopes to finish the season with a bang in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Liverpool will travel to Manchester City for the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight of Europe.

“Hopefully he can make his legacy even more special in the weeks and months to come as we fight for something bigger, but he will leave this club as a legend,” he told Liverpool’s website.

“Showing desire every three days, professionalism, commitment to the club and the team, always wanting to score goals and play… that’s what stands out to me the most.”

Slot’s attacking options have also been affected by the absence of Alexander Isak for most of the season, with the Swedish striker suffering from a broken leg since September after joining the club for a British transfer record of £125 million.

Isak is expected to return to training after more than three months of rest and will also receive a boost of motivation after Sweden successfully qualified for the World Cup this week.

“I think Alex is in very good shape because Sweden qualified for the World Cup last night and he will also be back training with the team for the first time tomorrow,” Slot stressed.

“Of course it’s the first session after three or four months, but we’re happy he’s back because we know the quality he has, he’s an incredible striker.”

LIVERPOOL: Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged the club to sign Yan Diomande as a replacement for Mohamed Salah who will leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in the RB Leipzig winger, with the club expected to look for two new wingers to fill the void left by the legend.

Klopp, who now holds the role of global head of football at Red Bull since leaving Liverpool two years ago, is believed to have encouraged his former club to try to sign Diomande.

However, the 19-year-old is valued at around 87 million pounds (RM465.58 million) and Liverpool are not the only club interested.

Premier League rivals such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in the player.

Diomande has shown excellent form this season, recording 10 goals and seven assists in 26 Bundesliga appearances.

In addition, Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao is also being monitored, while interest in Paris Saint-Germain player Bradley Barcola continues.

Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has also been a target, but his £100 million price tag could make a move difficult, with Arsenal also interested.

Leipzig are keen to keep Diomande for at least another season, but admit it will be difficult due to high interest, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

MUNICH, Germany: Harry Kane insists Bayern Munich are not afraid to face Real Madrid after confirming their place in the Champions League quarter-finals by defeating Atalanta early this morning.

Kane, who came off the bench in the first leg, scored twice as Bayern won 4-1 to complete a 10-2 aggregate victory and book a meeting with the 15-time European champions.

“We’re not afraid of anyone,” the England captain told DAZN about the meeting against Real.

“We know it’s going to be tough, but with the confidence from this game and the season so far, we just have to keep doing what we’re doing.”

The two goals bring Kane’s Champions League goal tally to 50 goals from 66 matches.

This season, he has scored 47 goals in 39 games in all competitions – his highest tally in a single season with the club.

Bayern are now comfortably leading the Bundesliga with a nine-point lead with eight matches remaining, having lost only two of their 41 matches in all competitions this season.

In his debut season in Germany, Kane lost to Real in the semi-finals on aggregate, before the Spanish club beat Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley.

Kane, who wore the Bayern captain’s armband for the first time in the Champions League, suggested his team had learned from the defeat and knew how to face Real.

“Every time you face Real Madrid in the Champions League, you have to be prepared for a tough challenge and a tough fight,” he said.

“You have to be prepared to play a certain way and we will be prepared for that.”

Bayern have not beaten the Spanish giants since the semi-finals of the 2011-12 season.

“Both clubs are giants,” said Bayern manager Vincent Kompany.

“Who is better now doesn’t matter – the history of both clubs is great.

“It will be a special match. Honestly, as the level increases, Real will get better. That’s why I expect a very high-quality match.

“It’s good for the fans – including neutral fans – but ultimately we want to win.”