Leandro Trossard raises Arsenal concern but sends simple title message to team-mates

Leandro Trossard knows exactly what he and his teammates need to do in order to win the Premier League.

Leandro Trossard claims now is not the time for excuses. But he also notes Arsenal are feeling leggy following their chastening home defeat to Bournemouth.

The Cherries blew the Premier League title race wide open with victory at the Emirates as they extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches under impressive tactician Andoni Iraola. Bournemouth had 22 days to prepare for the contest following their 2-2 draw with Manchester United on March 20.

Contrastingly, Arsenal were forced to stay an extra night in Lisbon following their Champions League win at Sporting on Tuesday due to Portuguese airspace restrictions after their FA Cup defeat at Southampton.

In Trossard's mind, conditioning played a big role in the result, regardless of how poor the Gunners were. He said: "It just wasn’t good enough and everyone knows that. We are the first ones who have to look in the mirror now and keep going.

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"We have played so many more games than them but we are used to that and we cannot use it as an excuse, we were still prepared but we just did not perform."

If Sporting smell blood on Wednesday, they could plunge Arsenal into a full-blown crisis ahead of their crunch trip to Manchester City next Sunday.

Trossard prefers to look at things differently, adding: "We have to be confident because we are here at this moment and we have come so far but this is a tough result and we have to take it in. We have a big game in midweek and we have to keep going."

This season, in comparison to the past three campaigns where Arsenal have recorded second-place finishes, has looked like the year where the stars would align for Mikel Arteta.

Sporting director Andrea Berta oversaw a record summer of spending and crafted arguably the most complete and well-rounded squad in world football.

Arsenal have continued to suffer high-profile injuries, fitness issues derailed their title bid last term, but this time around they've possessed the quality and depth to maintain their challenge - until now.

The absence of captain Martin Odegaard, star winger Bukayo Saka and dependable right-back Jurrien Timber are impacting the team drastically and the side has slowly run out of steam due to changes in personnel.

On the pitch, there is a lack of creativity and familiarity but somehow, they have to find a way of navigating the storm. Striker Viktor Gyokeres claimed the Emirates pitch "was a bit dry" when quizzed on his side's second-half openings.

The Swede explained: “They’re [Bournemouth] good on the counter-attacks. They have good players and made some good combinations. But we need to do better. We had some chances in the end.

"The pitch was a bit dry, which didn’t help. I’m very confident. We don’t need to get stuck too much on what happened today. We need to look forward and be positive."

It's the kind of remark that will be used as a stick to beat Arsenal with if they fall short between now and the end of the season. Supporters have grown tired of the anticipation that has built in north London amid a gruelling 22-year wait for Premier League title glory.

Excuses, no matter how big or small, will count for precious little if they are not crowned champions.