Arsenal latest: Viktor Gyokeres slammed as Max Dowman demand made - 'I don't care'

Arsenal will take on Sporting CP in Europe on Wednesday, just days after their league defeat to Bournemouth

Arsenal won't have much time to lick their wounds after losing at home to Bournemouth on Saturday. They will host Sporting CP in Europe on Wednesday and have a one-goal lead to protect after winning in Lisbon last week.

Manager Mikel Arteta has received a scathing assessment of certain members of his squad following the weekend reverse. Viktor Gyokeres netted from the penalty spot but has attracted considerable heat after misses later in the game, although youngster Max Dowman avoided criticism after an impressive second-half cameo.

"We have to look at ourselves which is the most important thing, and after getting punched, it's about how you react," Arteta said. "There's no more moment to protect anything, it's a moment to go and attack, and to be very aggressive."

The Gunners boss now needs to decide who has earned a midweek start and who needs to make way. That remains the focus as we bring you the latest lines.

Gyokeres in the firing line

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres attributed some of his side's struggles against Bournemouth to the dry surface at the Emirates Stadium. However, former Norway striker Jan Aage Fjortoft used that apparent excuse as an opportunity to criticise the Swedish international.

"I guess the best strikers in the world will score on dry pitches, wet pitches, snow, rain, wind, everything,' Fjortoft said on ESPN FC. "I don't want to re-open that debate over Arsenal lacking a top, top striker because Gyokeres just sent Sweden to the World Cup but he did miss some chances today.

"If you see last season with [Erling] Haaland and [Mohamed] Salah, have there been any champions without that player who can save them on a bad day? Gyokeres scored today and his form is okay but it seems it's not good enough to shoot you to a championship."

Dowman 'needs to start'

Jay Bothroyd was sufficiently impressed by Max Dowman on Saturday to suggest the 16 year old deserves a place in Arsenal's starting line-up. The former England striker, who progressed through the Gunners' youth system himself, advocated for Dowman to replace Gabriel Martinelli.

"As far as I'm concerned, Max Dowman needs to start," Bothroyd told Sky Sports. "I don't care no more. Arsenal need to go over the line.

"That kid, when he plays, he's fearless. He wants to ball. He goes at players. He might lose it, but he goes at them."

Martin Keown also acknowledged the teenager's influence. "Even when Dowman came on, we were all screaming give him the ball, but they didn't have enough good control of the ball in the midfield and that is all down to Bournemouth and Arsenal not mixing up their game enough," the former centre-back told TNT Sports.