GUNNER BE DAMAGING

Arteta's title bid takes hit as mate Iraola shows class

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DUSK on the Dorset Riviera may have reminded former team-mates Mikel Arteta and Andoni Iraola of idyllic twilights back home.

But for Arteta and Arsenal, it turned into a fiery sunset, and his first defeat in 17 games will have potentially damaging consequences in the title race.

Bournemouth’s clinical takedown of the Gunners’ 10 men was compulsive viewing, and it was also a statement that Iraola belongs in the highest bracket of coaches.

In the week Little Englanders lamented a German taking charge of the national team, here in bucket-andspade country there was compelling evidence that the Spanish are taking over the Premier League through the Basque door.

Barely a goal-kick from La Concha beach, on the fringes of San Sebastian, Arsenal messiah Arteta and Cherries coach Iraola once played in the junior ranks at a tiny club by the name of Antiguoko.

Xabi Alonso, who turned Bayer Leverkusen into the German Invincibles last season, also laced his first boots in the Basque country’s Gipuzkoa province which has become a footballing gold mine.

Antiguoko are so proud of the player Arteta became that his old Arsenal No.8 shirt has pride of place in the clubhouse.