Mikel Arteta sends clear message to Andrea Berta following Arsenal’s Premier League defeat to Bournemouth

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Arsenal have fallen back into a real fight for Champions League football next season with a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth.

Declan Rice opened the scoring for the Gunners after latching on to a superb pass from Martin Odegaard to fire Arsenal into a first half lead.

Arsenal fans were impressed with Gabriel Martinelli as he looked dangerous down the left flank but then the tide turned in the second half.

Dean Huijsen equalised from a long throw routine before Evanilson’s controversial winner was not overturned by VAR despite replays appearing to show the ball striking the elbow of the forward.

The defeat leaves the Gunners clinging on to second place ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle and Mikel Arteta could not hide his frustration in a clear message to Andrea Berta post match.

READ MORE: Five things learned from Arsenal v Bournemouth including Declan Rice’s brilliance and Dean Huijsen’s stunning Emirates audition

Mikel Arteta’s transfer hint to Andrea Berta

Speaking to Sky Sports after the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta bemoaned Arsenal’s inability to kill the game at 1-0 up.

Arteta stated: “The reality is that we didn’t [take our chances] we had so many open situations where we opened them up, big spaces, big opportunities to score but we didn’t.

“Then when you defend the box the way we did and concede two goals from set pieces, at this level it is very difficult to earn the three points.”

The Gunners have been desperate for a striker all season and it was further highlighted by the injury to Kai Havertz – their inability to finish chances could now cost them a top five finish.

Arsenal’s attacking recruitment vital this summer

Arsenal have focussed on defensive acquisitions in recent transfer windows but this summer is the time to spend big on world class attacking options that can change the course of a game.

Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard both missed good opportunities to extend Arsenal’s lead over Bournemouth but you cannot help but wonder what a world class striker would add to Arteta’s side.

Berta is a fan of Viktor Gyokeres and the Swedish striker has certainly proven that he knows where the goal is with his form for Sporting Lisbon over the last two seasons.

Benjamin Sesko is another name linked with the Gunners but the recruitment team need to ensure that they choose the right fit for Arteta’s style of play.