Looking to extend their winning streak after beating Sporting CP 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal hosted Bournemouth in their first Premier League match for a month.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of Andoni Iraola’s side in what was a substandard display by the Premier League table-toppers.
Junior Eli Kroupi threw a spanner in the works in the 17th minute, popping up at the back stick to poke home the opening goal of the affair after some brilliant play down the left from the visiting side.
After a drab first half hour, Viktor Gyokeres then tucked home a penalty to get the hosts back on level terms.
Arsenal endured a flat first-half and that continued into the second 45, prompting Gunners boss Arteta to make a triple substitution.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott then regained Bournemouth’s lead with 15 minutes left of regulation time after the Cherries cut open Arsenal’s back line. Again, Arsenal have left the door open for Manchester City to reduce the gap.
| Arsenal | Statistic | Bournemouth |
| 53% | Possession | 47% |
| 15 | Total shots | 8 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 3 |
| 10 | Corners | 1 |
| 1 | Saves | 2 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 3 |
Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth
David Raya – 5/10
Produced a fantastically-weighted pass in the 23rd minute but was let down by Havertz. He endured a few nervy moments in the second half.
Ben White (76′) – 4/10
Caught out by Adrien Truffert’s run for Bournemouth’s opener and was defensively unreliable, often struggling to contain the Cherries’ left-hand side.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6/10
Defensively reliable, like always, Gabriel put his head on the line (literally) to thwart Bournemouth’s attacking prowess.
William Saliba – 6/10
Calm on the ball in the encounter’s early stages.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6/10
Up against Bournemouth’s bright spark in Rayan, Lewis-Skelly stepped into midfield and passed through the lines when needed. The youngster did well all things considered.
Declan Rice – 6/10
The midfielder’s deliveries were not to his usual standards but he still played well in the engine room, though he did look tired.
Martin Zubimendi (76′) – 3/10
A very poor display from the Spaniard, whose sloppy passing and poor positioning left Rice was much of the groundwork to do.
Kai Havertz (54′) – 4/10
Supposed to be the connector between the midfield and front three but Kai Havertz’s performance was very, very worrying. The German had plenty of possession; he was just careless with his opportunities.
Noni Madueke (54′) – 3/10
In the first half, Madueke provided very little on the right flank as he struggled to beat his man – as evidenced by his 25% (1/4) dribble success rate.
Viktor Gyokeres – 5/10
Failed to assert himself as Arsenal’s target man but found a little bit of joy beyond Bournemouth’s defence. Converted his penalty with aplomb.
Gabriel Martinelli (54′) – 4/10
Far too indecisive on the left, Martinelli was hooked just eight minutes into the second half – and rightly so. His influence was just so little.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard (54′) – 5/10
Struggled to break down Bournemouth’s resolute back line. Produced a sublime block in the 72nd minute to thwart Tyler Adams’ shot.
Eberechi Eze (54′) – 4/10
Eze was substituted on – and Arsenal began to play it long?
Max Dowman (54′) – 4/10
Seldom saw the ball upon his introduction.
Cristhian Mosquera (76′) – 4/10
Competed far better than White, who he replaced.
Gabriel Jesus (76′) – 3/10
Largely operated within the confines on Bournemouth’s box, though to very little avail.
