Premier League GW 32 Review: Arsenal's collapse against Bournemouth ignites bottling scare

Mikel Arteta's side has got into a tense position. (Image credits – Heute (licence details)) 

Arsenal have dominated the Premier League this season, and right from the beginning of the season, they've cemented themselves at the top spot. Mikel Arteta's team has shown consistency and has been way more mature, and it finally seems that this season will finally be theirs to claim. However, a shocking 2-1 loss at home against Bournemouth has brought back the Gunners' ghost of the past. This loss was more than just a mere three points lost; this will inflict psychological damage on Arteta's men.

Arsenal have shown patches of nervousness in the past few weeks, as this was their third loss in domestic competitions. The Gunners bottled the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup in a shocking loss to Southampton in a space of just two weeks. Playing at home against Bournemouth, Arsenal were passive in midfield and vulnerable to counter-attacks, and the players were nervous at every touch of the ball. This team never looked like the team that had dominated in the league for most of the season. Bournemouth were organised and thrived in chaos as they exploited Arsenal's nervousness, and it was a deserved win away from home.

Chelsea’s 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge to Manchester City has further reduced the gap between Arsenal and Man City. Pep Guardiola’s side trails by just six points with a game in hand and is yet to play Arteta's side next game week. If Man City win their remaining games, they will be crowned champions of the league, and that's how tiny the margins are right now. The Gunners must win their game against Manchester City, or else it'll be the repeat telecast of the last two seasons. Guardiola's side will have the psychological edge right now over Arsenal, as they have been in these situations before and are way more experienced.

Wayne Rooney claimed that City are the favourites, as they know how to win the title and they have done it in the past. 

I think City will have the edge in that regard, purely because of the manager and players they have. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players,” said Wayne Rooney. (sic)

He added, 'They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking, "Where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?"' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance.” (sic)

Arsenal might set up their game plan to avoid a defeat against Manchester City next week, as anything less than a point would leave them in huge trouble. The Gunners have to be tight in midfield and defence and exploit City's vulnerabilities on the break. Mikel Arteta's side are still the favourites to clinch the Premier League title this season, but the Super Sunday clash will probably turn out to be a title-deciding game.

Tottenham Hotspur's getting relegated from the Premier League seems inevitable after their loss to Sunderland

Next season, Championship sides may have the opportunity to travel to such a modern stadium. Image credits – Heute (licensing details). 

Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are sitting 18th in the table in the relegation zone of the Premier League with just 30 points after 32 games. De Zerbi's side are two points below safety. West Ham capitalised with a 4-0 hammering of Wolves as they went clear of the relegation zone, while Nottingham Forest also managed to win a point against Aston Villa. Leeds United steered six points clear of the relegation zone with a commanding 2-1 victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Tottenham's performance against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light was too timid, and Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge as Tottenham boss didn't go as per his plans. Spurs were poor in the middle of the park; there was no cohesion between the lads in the final third, and the defence was leaking goals like a sponge leaking water. At this point Spurs' getting relegated seems inevitable. They will face Brighton next at home, which will be followed by two consecutive away games against Wolves and Aston Villa. Their three remaining fixtures are against Leeds United at home, Chelsea away, and Everton at home.

Tottenham haven't won a single game in 2026 and have picked up just one point in the new calendar year, which is the worst-ever stat recorded by any top-six club. The Lilywhites must win their next game against Brighton to bolster their confidence; otherwise it'll only be doom for the North London giants. 

Wayne Rooney added, "If they can do that, then they give themselves a chance. The longer it goes without winning, the more difficult it is for them.” (sic)

"Sometimes you get a bounce, but I think you get that when a new manager comes in and you are front-footed and aggressive on the ball. I thought they were a bit in between,” said the former Manchester United and Everton striker. (sic)

He added, "It will be a disaster for them if they do go [down]. I think that's where some of those players probably are looking at it, thinking if they go down, they can move on and go to a different club. If they don't return to the Premier League in the first year, it will be a disaster for them. (sic)

Tottenham will probably lose most of their star players if they fail to survive in the Premier League this season, and it could eventually lead them to years of struggle in the Championship just like Leicester City. The Foxes are now sitting 23rd in the second division after clinching the Premier League title as recently as in 2016. Being relegated would also mean they would miss out on competing in European competitions, and there would be huge losses in revenue for such a massive club. Their whole sporting project would end up as a failure if they fail to stay up in the first division, and it'll be after a long time a top-six club would be relegated.