Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth: Alex Scott’s stunning goal widens Arsenal’s wobble as they stumble back into the Premier League after the international break
Alex Scott puts Bournemouth up 2-1 with a cool finish (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s bid to win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years changed forever after Bournemouth won at a tense Emirates Stadium. The Gunners started the day determined that a win would move them 12 points clear of leaders Manchester City, but they were unable to get the job done.
After an edgy start, Arsenal were put on the back foot when Adrian Truffert’s cross was deflected into the path of Junior Crupi, who hit the back post. The Gunners were given a route back into the game after Kai Hubbert headed a corner over.
Gabriel Magalhães smashed the ball into Ryan Christie’s hands, raised his hand, and Michael Oliver pointed to the spot. Viktor Gokeres curled the penalty into the corner and Arsenal equalized with their first shot on target.
A frustrating second half saw Mikel Arteta’s three substitutions go unrewarded, with Alex Scott’s perfectly timed goal and goal putting Bournemouth back in the lead. The Cherries arrived in North London unbeaten in 11 games and showed why, holding on to their goals with determination to secure a second successive win at the Emirates and shock the league in their first match after a three-week break.
Here are the talking points on a potentially important day in the Premier League title race.
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1. Arsenal’s nervous start
An email arrived in the inboxes of Arsenal season ticket holders on Friday. “As you know, lunchtime kick-offs can be a bit subdued in terms of the noise generated inside the stadium,” it read. “I think you all will agree that this is not an option on Saturday. Mikel specifically requested that as many people as possible be at the bowl before kick-off and make as much noise as possible before, during and after the game!”
A TIFO dedicated to Arteta was displayed inside the Emirates Stadium, but despite the manager’s pleas, things did not go as planned and Arsenal were unable to implement the final outcome of their negotiations. The Gunners manager was furious that Truffert was left alone on the overlap and his low cross was released by William Saliba with an unmarked Crupi at the back post.
Mikel Arteta was unhappy with his team’s start (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
2. Satisfied with handball
Arsenal put little pressure on the Bournemouth goal until Gabriel’s shot hit Christie’s outstretched arm. Referee Oliver pointed to the spot without hesitation. His decision was quickly confirmed by VAR. “The referee’s penalty call for handball was confirmed by VAR and Christie’s arm was deemed to have been raised away from his body,” Premier League Match Center confirmed.
“It looked like Christie’s hand was up,” former Premier League midfielder Andy Reid explained on BBC Radio 5 Live. “The only mitigating situation was that he was quite close to the ball but his hands were up, so I don’t think this will be overturned.” It failed and Gokeres confidently dispatched it to level the under-par Arsenal.
Ryan Christie’s handball gives Arsenal a penalty (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
3. Arteta plays his hand but gets nothing.
In the 54th minute, Arteta brought on Max Dauman, Leandro Trossard and Ebelesi Eze, replacing Noni Maduke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli. However, there was no immediate response. Mamaling continued on from a nervous home crowd as Arsenal failed to build on their momentum and beat Bournemouth.
Joekeles’ goal after a few yards offside briefly relieved the tension, but despite all their efforts Bournemouth remained comfortable and Declan Rice’s long-range effort brought the Gunners closest before the worst of the punches arrived.
4. Scott puts the cat among the pigeons
The game was going nowhere, but suddenly it wasn’t. Bournemouth played the ball forward and the previously silent Evanilson flicked the ball past a defender and into the path of Scott, who ran into the gap and calmly slotted the ball past David Raya and into the corner.
It was a beautiful and brilliant move from the away side and one that completely took the air out of Emirates Stadium. Bournemouth cut through Arsenal with perfect precision and converted their chances.
Alex Scott scores a great goal (Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
5. A city that licks its lips
Arsenal remain in pole position. They remain nine points behind Manchester City. But Pep Guardiola’s side now have two games left against their rivals, giving them a huge boost in their efforts to corner the Gunners.
It was big for Arsenal, who beat Sporting 1-0 in midweek after losing to City in the Carabao Cup final and losing to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. However, against Bournemouth, the tension and inconsistency returned.
City face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. And if they win, there will be a lot left in next weekend’s clash between Arsenal and City at the Ihsad Stadium.
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