Arsenal vs Bournemouth: Match Report

The Emirates witnessed Bournemouth defeat Arsenal 2-1 to complete their first-ever league double over the Gunners.

Declan Rice opened the scoring in the first half before goals from Dean Huijsen and Evanilson turned the game on its head.

Arsenal open the scoring:

Despite the best chance in the first half falling to the visitors when Evanilson’s header slammed against David Raya’s crossbar, Arsenal were the side to take the lead in the match.

Martin Ødegaard slid a pass through to Declan Rice. Left unmarked by Illia Zabarnyi, the English international rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga and fired the ball into an empty net to break the deadlock.

Bournemouth would now have to come from a goal behind if they wanted to take any points back down south with them.

Nervey moments for Arsenal:

It was clear that Arsenal would need a second goal to be comfortable in this match as Bournemouth began to knock on the door once again.

Bournemouth were just lacking the finishing touch at the time that they needed to draw level.

The chances were coming with one of the most threatening unfolding when Dango Ouattara used his pace to get away from Ben White, and delivered the ball into the box that forced Raya to fly off his goal-line and collect the ball.

Arsenal needed to settle their nerves, but Bournemouth were beginning to smell an equaliser on the way.

Huijsen levels:

After introducing both Alex Scott and Antoine Semenyo to the match, Bournemouth would continue in their hunt for a way back into the match.

Semenyo would have an instant impact on proceedings as his darting run ended in the ball being put out in a throw-in that would lead to Bournemouth getting their reward.

Semenyo’s long throw towards a crowd of players in the six-yard box found Dean Huijsen, whose headed attempt flew out of the reach of Raya and levelled the match.

From Bad to Worse for the Gunners:

Less than ten minutes after Bournemouth got their equaliser, they gained the lead of the match, once again from a set-piece.

An inswinging corner was met by James Tavenier, whose header was turned in by Evanilson, who got a strong enough touch to sneak it past Raya.

There was a VAR check to determine where on Evanilson’s body the ball hit to be turned into the net, but there was not enough conclusive evidence to disallow the goal.

What does this mean?:

For Bournemouth, this is a crucial result that moves them into eighth, passing Brighton and Fulham in the process.

This would be good enough for a place in Europe, depending on the result of the FA Cup final, which would be a colossal achievement for the Cherries.

For Arsenal, the result is not an ideal one ahead of a potentially season-defining match away to PSG in the Champions League.

The Gunners now see themselves drop closer to the pack of Champions League-hunting teams with Manchester City only three points behind them following the conclusion of this match.

What’s Next?:

For Arsenal, PSG await in the Champions League in a match where they have a one-goal deficit to overcome away from home. This comes before a trip to Anfield next weekend in what will be a tough week for the Gunners.

Next up for Bournemouth is a home match against Aston Villa, where they will be hoping to keep up their momentum in their quest for Europe.

The Teams:

Arsenal: D. Raya, B. White (O. Zinchenko 86′), W. Saliba, J. Kiwior, M. Lewis-Skelly, M. Ødegaard, T. Partey, D. Rice (M. Merino 74′), G. Martinelli (R. Sterling 86′), L. Trossard, B. Saka (E. Nwaneri 86′)

Booked: 

Unused Substitutes: T. Setford, K. Tierney, B. Clarke, J. Gower, N. Butler-Oyedeji,

Bournemouth: K. Arrizabalaga, J. Araujo (A. Scott 65′), I. Zabarnyi, D. Huijsen, M Kerkez, L. Cook, T. Adams, M. Tavanier, J. Kluivert (A. Semenyo 65′), D. Ouattara (D. Brooks 74′), Evanilson (D. Jebbison 87′)

Booked: Evanilson, D. Ouattara

Unused Substitutes: W. Dennis, M. Senesi, A. Smith, J. Soler, J. Hill,