Eddie Howe felt his Bournemouth side did not start in their usual manner in their Sunday clash with Arsenal.

Goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 23rd and 24th minutes gave the Gunners maximum points at Vitality Stadium and they were allowed to do so due to the fact that the Cherries were well below par early in the encounter.

Howe said: "We were slow out the blocks today.

"That's unlike us and when you give players of their quality that time on the ball they will punish you.

"The quality of the goals, especially the second one from a tight angle, made it difficult for us.

"After that we were unable to find a goal that would get us back into it and put them under pressure."

The defeat leaves Bournemouth sitting 15th on the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.