‘What was the point?’ Arsenal fans return to ask hard question of Arteta selection after Bournemouth defeat

It was supposed to be a statement win. A chance to reassert dominance and keep momentum ahead of a crucial Champions League semi-final second leg. Instead, Arsenal’s 2–1 home defeat to Bournemouth has thrown Mikel Arteta’s judgment back into the spotlight, and fans are once again asking the question: What was the point?

With Manchester City and Liverpool breathing down Arsenal’s neck in the Premier League, Arteta opted to go strong. Only two changes were made to the team that played earlier in the week: Jurrien Timber was rested following a knock, and Mikel Merino got a start. The rest of the usual XI remained unchanged, including stars like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice.

But that plan has backfired—badly. Despite the heavy artillery, Arsenal couldn’t get the job done at the Emirates. Bournemouth struck twice in the second half, exposing Arsenal’s fatigue and defensive vulnerability. And now, Arteta’s decision not to rotate his squad has Arsenal fans fuming.

In contrast, Paris Saint-Germain—Arsenal’s Champions League opponents—rested ten first-team players in their Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg. Yes, PSG also lost. But they’ll walk into the second leg fresher, more composed, and with fewer injury worries. That’s what has infuriated Arsenal supporters the most.

Comparisons have emerged across social media. Fans are analyzing the starting XIs of all Champions League semi-finalists—Barcelona, Inter Milan, PSG, and Arsenal—and drawing a clear conclusion: every other manager chose rotation, except Arteta.

For a coach often praised for his tactical discipline and forward-thinking philosophy, this was a rare misstep. And the Arsenal faithful did not hold back.

💭 “I don’t even understand the rationale behind his team selection today. Even Barca, chasing the league, rested players because of the UCL,” said one supporter.

💭 “Arteta gives me the shivers man. What was the point of stressing our best players?” wrote another.

💭 “Arteta is bottling to Bournemouth after starting the Avengers? Pointless and stupid,” read one frustrated tweet.

There is a growing belief among fans that Arteta might have already given up on the Champions League tie. One fan sarcastically noted, “It’s like Arteta knows Arsenal can’t mount a comeback against PSG, so he risked it all for Bournemouth—and still lost.”

Another furious supporter added: “What can I say? Arteta just handed PSG their second advantage with that pointless lineup.”

The backlash intensified with the argument that Bournemouth, despite their position on the table, are never pushovers—especially not at this stage of the season when teams fight for survival or pride. Playing your strongest side doesn’t always guarantee a result, especially when fatigue is clearly a factor.

This loss has now sparked a broader conversation among fans and pundits about squad depth. Some believe that Arsenal’s injury-hit squad simply doesn’t allow Arteta the luxury to rest key players. Others argue the manager should have taken more risks by trusting academy talents or fringe players.

💭 “Our squad is not big enough to cope with the amount of injuries we’ve had,” commented one fan on Tribuna. “We need to clear out the players who don’t meet our level and replace them with quality. Use the academy—Sterling, Zinchenko, Jesus, even Trossard could be moved on for better options.”

The sentiment is clear: Arsenal may be lacking both the physical depth and emotional composure needed at this stage of the campaign. And instead of rotating, Arteta doubled down on his tired starters—only to fall short.

Other supporters are calling for drastic changes. One even suggested Ødegaard should be rested for the remainder of the season to prevent burnout. Another lamented: “This team has finished.”

Some are even questioning whether Arteta is the right man to lead Arsenal forward. While it’s far from a majority opinion, frustration is building. “Arteta needs to go at the end of the season,” one fan posted. “He seems to have lost the players.”

The timing couldn’t be worse. Arsenal now have to turn around a deficit against PSG in the Champions League, while simultaneously keeping pace in the league against relentless City and Liverpool sides.

More worryingly, the psychological blow of this Bournemouth defeat could linger. Losing at home, in front of a packed Emirates crowd, with the best XI on the pitch, is a gut punch few expected.

💭 “Stubbornness. That’s what cost us. Arteta refused to sign a striker. Now look where we are,” concluded one fan.

There’s still time for redemption. Arsenal’s season is not mathematically over in either competition. But the margin for error is now razor-thin. And as supporters continue to dissect Arteta’s decisions, one haunting question remains: What was the point?