Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal's shock 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth was an "accident waiting to happen" as William Saliba's red card condemned them to a first Premier League loss since April.

Arteta's title-chasing side played for an hour with 10 men after French defender Saliba was dismissed for a professional foul on Evanilson.

Referee Rob Jones initially showed Saliba a yellow card but the punishment was upgraded to a red after VAR intervened.

It was the third time Arsenal had a player sent off in the league this season after Declan Rice saw red against Brighton and Leandro Trossard was dismissed at Manchester City.

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Arteta conceded the disciplinary problems were making it harder to win, with Arsenal taking just two points from the three games played with 10 men.

"It's very difficult to win in the Premier League with 10 men for 60 minutes. It's just an accident waiting to happen. We have had to go through it in three games and that cost us the game," he said. "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."

Beaten in the league for the first time since Aston Villa's 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium last season, Arsenal's loss cost them the chance to go above Liverpool at the top of the table.

Arteta acknowledged his third-placed team were below their best for long periods at the Vitality Stadium.

"The team tried, the effort with 10 men was fantastic but today it was not enough to win the game," he said. "It took us a while to understand what we had do in the first 15 minutes, then we grabbed the game but after 30 minutes the game changed."

Arsenal midfielder Rice was even more honest in his assessment of the lethargic performance.

Trossard's wayward pass was the trigger for Saliba's dismissal as the centre-back was forced to make a panicked tug on Evanilson.

It was a careless mistake by Trossard and Rice said Arsenal must stamp out that kind of blunder if they want to mount another title challenge.

"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," Rice said. "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."

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal's shock 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth was an "accident waiting to happen" as William Saliba's red card condemned them to a first Premier League loss since April.

Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal's shock 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth was an "accident waiting to happen" as William Saliba's red card condemned them to a first Premier League loss since April. Arteta's title-chasing side played for an hour with 10 men after French defender Saliba was dismissed for a professional foul on Evanilson. Referee Rob Jones initially showed Saliba a yellow card but the punishment was upgraded to a red after VAR intervened. It was the third time Arsenal had a player sent off in the league this season after Declan Rice saw red against Brighton and Leandro Trossard was dismissed at Manchester City. ALSO READ: Premier League: Manchester United ease pressure on Erik ten Hag, Spurs run riot in West Ham win Arteta conceded the disciplinary problems were making it harder to win, with Arsenal taking just two points from the three games played with 10 men. "It's very difficult to win in the Premier League with 10 men for 60 minutes. It's just an accident waiting to happen. We have had to go through it in three games and that cost us the game," he said. "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." Beaten in the league for the first time since Aston Villa's 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium last season, Arsenal's loss cost them the chance to go above Liverpool at the top of the table. Arteta acknowledged his third-placed team were below their best for long periods at the Vitality Stadium. "The team tried, the effort with 10 men was fantastic but today it was not enough to win the game," he said. "It took us a while to understand what we had do in the first 15 minutes, then we grabbed the game but after 30 minutes the game changed." Arsenal midfielder Rice was even more honest in his assessment of the lethargic performance. Trossard's wayward pass was the trigger for Saliba's dismissal as the centre-back was forced to make a panicked tug on Evanilson. It was a careless mistake by Trossard and Rice said Arsenal must stamp out that kind of blunder if they want to mount another title challenge. "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," Rice said. "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." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Premier League: Arsenal’s first loss this season was ‘accident waiting to happen’, says boss Arteta

Manchester City's Erling Haaland struck four times as they remained on course to win a fourth successive Premier League title with a 5-1 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Hours after Arsenal's 3-0 win over Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola's men responded with a resounding victory that pulled them to within a point of the North Londoners at the top of the standings, but with a game in hand.

Arsenal have 83 points with two fixtures remaining in one of the tightest title races in years, while City have 82, but three games to play.

"Nine (more) points, we will be champions. Seven points, six points, three points, Arsenal will win the Premier League," Guardiola said.

Haaland -- who boosted his league scoring lead to 25 with the first four-goal haul of his career -- converted from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after Rayan Ait-Nouri's late tackle took Josko Gvardiol down in the box.

The 23-year-old Norwegian doubled City's lead in the 35th when he soared high to head home at the far post from Rodri's cross.

"That's a beautiful goal. My father (Alf-Inge Haaland, who played for City) is going to be happy with that one," Haaland told Sky Sports. "A nice celebration, I enjoyed that one.

"Not bad, 25 goals this season. We keep going."

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Haaland converted again from the spot just before halftime after he was clipped from behind by Nelson Semedo in the area. Hwang Hee-chan pulled one back for Wolves in the 53rd with the visitors' only shot on target.

But a minute later, Haaland smothered any hopes of a comeback with his fourth.

The goal-scoring machine -- who missed nearly two months earlier this season with a foot injury but seems to be finding form again at the perfect time -- controlled a diagonal pass in the air from Phil Foden before slicing inside and curling a shot into the far corner.

"He was injured, to get back to best form you need time," Guardiola said. "But happy for his performance, for his exceptional goals, in the penalties as well because we know how some days it is not easy ... really pleased for him."

Substitute Julian Alvarez completed City's scoring in the 85th minute.

Wolves, whose manager Gary O'Neil was serving a touchline ban, looked nothing like the team that edged City 2-1 earlier in the season.

"I thought we damaged ourselves mostly," said O'Neil, whose squad are 11th in the standings. "If you make errors against these guys, they'll punish you. We made too many errors and Manchester City were very clinical.

"It was a tough afternoon, which we knew potentially it would be."

City play two away games at Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur then close the season at home against West Ham United. Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford next to play Manchester United before hosting Everton on the final day.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland struck four times as they remained on course to win a fourth successive Premier League title with a 5-1 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland struck four times as they remained on course to win a fourth successive Premier League title with a 5-1 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Hours after Arsenal's 3-0 win over Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola's men responded with a resounding victory that pulled them to within a point of the North Londoners at the top of the standings, but with a game in hand. Arsenal have 83 points with two fixtures remaining in one of the tightest title races in years, while City have 82, but three games to play. "Nine (more) points, we will be champions. Seven points, six points, three points, Arsenal will win the Premier League," Guardiola said. Haaland -- who boosted his league scoring lead to 25 with the first four-goal haul of his career -- converted from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after Rayan Ait-Nouri's late tackle took Josko Gvardiol down in the box. The 23-year-old Norwegian doubled City's lead in the 35th when he soared high to head home at the far post from Rodri's cross. "That's a beautiful goal. My father (Alf-Inge Haaland, who played for City) is going to be happy with that one," Haaland told Sky Sports. "A nice celebration, I enjoyed that one. "Not bad, 25 goals this season. We keep going." ALSO READ: Ipswich Town seal Premier League return after 22 years with last day win against Huddersfield in Championship Haaland converted again from the spot just before halftime after he was clipped from behind by Nelson Semedo in the area. Hwang Hee-chan pulled one back for Wolves in the 53rd with the visitors' only shot on target. But a minute later, Haaland smothered any hopes of a comeback with his fourth. The goal-scoring machine -- who missed nearly two months earlier this season with a foot injury but seems to be finding form again at the perfect time -- controlled a diagonal pass in the air from Phil Foden before slicing inside and curling a shot into the far corner. "He was injured, to get back to best form you need time," Guardiola said. "But happy for his performance, for his exceptional goals, in the penalties as well because we know how some days it is not easy ... really pleased for him." Substitute Julian Alvarez completed City's scoring in the 85th minute. Wolves, whose manager Gary O'Neil was serving a touchline ban, looked nothing like the team that edged City 2-1 earlier in the season. "I thought we damaged ourselves mostly," said O'Neil, whose squad are 11th in the standings. "If you make errors against these guys, they'll punish you. We made too many errors and Manchester City were very clinical. "It was a tough afternoon, which we knew potentially it would be." City play two away games at Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur then close the season at home against West Ham United. Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford next to play Manchester United before hosting Everton on the final day.

Haaland’s hat-trick against Wolves keeps Manchester City ahead of Arsenal in tight PL title race

Liverpool's quest for a Premier League title in manager Juergen Klopp's final season with the team suffered a huge blow with a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday that left them third in the table.

Eberechi Eze scored in the 14th minute to stun the Anfield faithful in the third consecutive disappointing result for Liverpool. Klopp's men are even on 71 points with second-placed Arsenal, who were playing later on Sunday, and two behind provisional leaders Manchester City.

Tyrick Mitchell found Eze unmarked in the box after some pretty passing and Eze slotted home with his first touch to put Palace ahead.

Poor finishing by Liverpool sealed their first league loss at Anfield since October 2022 and the television cameras captured young Liverpool fans wiping away tears in the stands after the final whistle.

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Liverpool, who had 21 shots to Palace's eight, squandered a bagful of chances including Curtis Jones's shot on a breakaway that he fired wide, tugging his shirt over his head in disbelief. Liverpool's talisman Mohamed Salah hammered a close-range strike off a defender in the dying seconds.

Palace keeper Dean Henderson also made some remarkable saves, darting to stop a Darwin Nunez point-blank shot off his knee, among others.

Palace could have doubled their lead in the first half when Jean-Philippe Mateta chipped past Liverpool keeper Alisson. The ball was bound for goal but defender Andy Robertson sprinted back and slid to just save it on the line.

Palace, who are 14th in the table, ended a 10-match winless run on the road, their first away victory since November against Burnley.

Liverpool were coming off a 3-0 loss to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday and a costly 2-2 draw with Manchester United in their previous league game on April 7.

Arsenal were hosting Aston Villa in Sunday's late game with first place in the table up for grabs.

Liverpool's quest for a Premier League title in manager Juergen Klopp's final season with the team suffered a huge blow with a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday that left them third in the table.

Liverpool's quest for a Premier League title in manager Juergen Klopp's final season with the team suffered a huge blow with a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday that left them third in the table. Eberechi Eze scored in the 14th minute to stun the Anfield faithful in the third consecutive disappointing result for Liverpool. Klopp's men are even on 71 points with second-placed Arsenal, who were playing later on Sunday, and two behind provisional leaders Manchester City. Tyrick Mitchell found Eze unmarked in the box after some pretty passing and Eze slotted home with his first touch to put Palace ahead. Poor finishing by Liverpool sealed their first league loss at Anfield since October 2022 and the television cameras captured young Liverpool fans wiping away tears in the stands after the final whistle. ALSO READ: Iran-Israel conflict impacts IPL 2024: Commentator Kevin Pietersen’s flight rerouted due to missile attacks Liverpool, who had 21 shots to Palace's eight, squandered a bagful of chances including Curtis Jones's shot on a breakaway that he fired wide, tugging his shirt over his head in disbelief. Liverpool's talisman Mohamed Salah hammered a close-range strike off a defender in the dying seconds. Palace keeper Dean Henderson also made some remarkable saves, darting to stop a Darwin Nunez point-blank shot off his knee, among others. Palace could have doubled their lead in the first half when Jean-Philippe Mateta chipped past Liverpool keeper Alisson. The ball was bound for goal but defender Andy Robertson sprinted back and slid to just save it on the line. Palace, who are 14th in the table, ended a 10-match winless run on the road, their first away victory since November against Burnley. Liverpool were coming off a 3-0 loss to Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday and a costly 2-2 draw with Manchester United in their previous league game on April 7. Arsenal were hosting Aston Villa in Sunday's late game with first place in the table up for grabs.

Premier League: Liverpool slip in title race after shock home defeat against Crystal Palace

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Premier League: Arsenal’s first loss this season was ‘accident waiting to happen’, says boss Arteta

Haaland’s hat-trick against Wolves keeps Manchester City ahead of Arsenal in tight PL title race

Premier League: Liverpool slip in title race after shock home defeat against Crystal Palace