Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake offered a scathing indictment of his side’s “stupid” failure to hold on to their three goal lead against Arsenal on Tuesday.
With 20 minutes remaining at the Vitality Stadium Bournemouth held a commanding 3-0 lead but Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud inspired a remarkable comeback, the Frenchman assisting for the Chilean and Lucas Perez before heading home the equaliser in the second minute of added time.
Steve Francis had been sent off for Bournemouth with eight minutes remaining but the 10 men should have been able to hold out for their first victory over Arsenal, Ake said.
“How we gave it away was stupid,” the Chelsea loanee told reporters. “We were too negative in the second half.
“They attacked us and we had to defend for our lives. I think before the game it was a point won but after the game you have to say it was two points dropped, for sure.”
Giroud proved to be the catalyst for Arsene Wenger’s side on the south coast, continuing a fine run of form that has seen him register six goals in four Premier League starts.
The 30-year-old followed his superb scorpion kick in victory over Crystal Palace with a superb display as a target man, dominating Bournemouth in the air to assist Sanchez and head in the equaliser, also providing a fine flick for Lucas to bring the scoreline to 3-2.
Ake said: “He is a big guy and the main thing you want to do is keep him out of the box as he can win headers.
“I learned quite a lot from playing against him.”
