Harry Arter found himself in an unfamiliar situation during Bournemouth's Premier League tie against Watford last month. The Ireland international was an unused substitute as his side drew 2-2. Prior to that match, Arter had started all 21 of Bournemouth's league games.
Manager Eddie Howe, following a defeat to Hull, felt that his deck required shuffling and Arter was dropped from the starting lineup for the game against Watford and the subsequent fixture versus Crystal Palace, a 2-0 defeat.
Speaking to the Bournemouth Daily Echo, Arter said he was disappointed to be dropped but ultimately used it as motivation to work harder.
It was disappointing. I won’t shy away from that. I did not like not playing. I probably didn’t take it as well as some players do.
I was very disappointed. But the way I went about my work was to get my head down, work hard and try to get back in the team. I didn't say too much to the manager. I understand it’s a game, people have to sit out sometimes. I used my disappointment as my motivation to try to make sure it doesn’t happen to me again.
Arter made a goalscoring return to the Bournemouth starting XI in a 6-3 loss against Everton. He would also start the 2-0 defeat to Man City.
Despite the club now being on a three-game losing streak and being without a win in 2017, Arter says players' confidence has not been significantly affected.
It is difficult because you don’t like losing and you don’t like slipping down the league. But I don’t think it’s had too much of an adverse effect on our confidence.
Against Manchester City – and during the second-half at Everton – we delivered real Bournemouth performances. I felt the fans were far happier following the City match than they have been after previous games – and we can take that into the rest of the season.
Watch: Roy Keane Wasn't Having Any Of The Pogba Brothers' Europa League Love-In
Watch: Pep Guardiola's Full Time Gesture To Harry Arter Was True Class
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
