Aubameyang goal earns Arteta's Arsenal draw at Bournemouth

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

BOURNEMOUTH, England (Reuters) - A second-half equaliser from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Mikel Arteta a point in his first game as Arsenal manager as his side came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Bournemouth in the Premier League on Thursday.

The two sides came into the game in poor form, with Bournemouth having lost six of their last seven and Arsenal only winning once since beating Bournemouth 1-0 at the Emirates on Oct. 6.

Arteta restored Mesut Ozil to the starting line-up and the German forward looked sharp in the opening exchanges, but despite Arteta energetically encouraging his team from the sidelines, they failed to create many chances.

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Mesut Ozil in action with Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Arsenal's sloppiness was punished when they gave the ball away cheaply on the left wing and Bournemouth sliced through them quickly, midfielder Dan Gosling stabbing home Jack Stacey's centre from close range to give the home side the lead.

The Gunners equalised in the 63rd minute as Reiss Nelson's shot deflected into the path of Aubameyang, and he swivelled to rifle the ball home before a wild celebration with the traveling fans that earned him a yellow card.

Both sides created opportunities in the pouring rain, but neither could grab a winner and the draw left Arsenal in 11th place on 24 points, with Bournemouth four points further back in 16th.

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette in action with Bournemouth's Lewis Cook REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

"We missed a lot of chances in the second half, we should get the three points today but that can happen," Aubameyang said. "I think the attitude of the boys was great but we have to improve our chances."

Arteta was disappointed not to win the game, but said his players had performed well.

"In terms of attitude, desire and commitment it was better than I expect. They are not used to playing at this rhythm," said the 37-year-old Spaniard, who spent five seasons as a player at the club.

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

"I am still learning about the players, about the priorities, to make them more secure when they jump on to the pitch. My only aim now is to find solutions, to attack better, defend better," Arteta added.

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Bernd Leno in action REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Ed Osmond)

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reacts REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shakes hands with David Luiz after the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Reiss Nelson after the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe in action with Bournemouth's Jack Simpson REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - December 26, 2019 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in action with Bournemouth's Jack Stacey REUTERS/Eddie Keogh