Arsenal saw red for the third time in eight league games – but on this occasion paid the price.
Yesterday it was French defender William Saliba who received his marching orders after hauling down clean-through Bournemouth hitman Evanilson on the half-hour mark. Initially, it was only a booking for the offence but that quickly turned to a straight dismissal upon a VAR review to leave Mikel Arteta‘s troops down to 10 men… yet again.
The same thing had happened in the 1-1 draw at home to Leicester and then soon after in the 2-2 blockbuster against title rivals Manchester City. Yet, unlike as in those two previous outings, the Gunners were unable to cling on for a point at the Vitality Stadium as their unbeaten record was left in tatters.
Firstly, Ryan Christie put the the hosts ahead in the 70th minute before Justin Kluivert’s penalty sealed a miserable evening for the visitors. If Arsenal arrived in chipper mood, looking for a victory to hit the summit, they exited knowing that ill discipline had led to a first loss in 17 games in all competitions.
For Andoni Iraola’s Cherries, though, this was a return to the form of last season. They richly deserved this third league win of the campaign. Perhaps the biggest issue on the Dorset coast until this point had been the absence of a top finisher. Departed Dominic Solanke’s replacement, Evanilson had scored only once before yesterday.
(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
And that was despite nobody, bar Man City and Spurs, creating more chances than Iraola’s side. Opportunities in the opening skirmishes last night were few and far between. For 15 minutes it was more sparring than serious engagement.
Cue David Raya’s poor pass out being pounced upon by Adam Scott and, from his pass, Cherries top scorer Antoine Semenyo firing wide as the Arsenal keeper scrambled backwards. That scare seemed to spark some attacking life into Arsenal, and in particular Raheem Sterling, who was in for the crocked Bukayo Saka.
Twice the on loan Chelsea winger wriggled a path down the right only to miss his target with chipped crosses. It was that sort of contest. Defences on top. Final balls going astray. And it was another wild, careless pass – this time from Leandro Trossard – that changed the balance of power by leading to Saliba’s premature exit.
Saliba had no choice but to illegally halt Evanilson and, although he at first escaped an early bath, referee Rob Jones was soon advised by VAR, correctly, to alter the decision. Bizarrely, despite the numerical disadvantage, the Gunners, who replaced Sterling with defender Jakob Kiwior, responded by almost breaking the deadlock.
Trossard found Mikel Merino inside the area but the unmarked Spanish midfielder, on his full league debut, drilled wide. Seconds later Raya was in action at the other end, parrying Semenyo’s blistering drive around the post.
And the Spanish stopper then did brilliantly to deny Marcus Tavernier’s 43rd-minute effort after spilling the ball. Bournemouth had the momentum and that continued following the interval when they should have gone ahead as Semenyo skied an eight-yarder high over the bar.
(Image: Getty Images)
Arteta chose to throw on Gabriel Martinelli midway through the half and it so nearly proved inspired but the Brazilian, with the goal at his mercy, was denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Five minute later, Martinelli’s wastefulness came back to bite the North Londoners on 70 minutes..
It was a corner that unhinged the set-piece kings as Bournemouth pair Kluivert and Christie combined for the latter to fire in. Any hopes of a miracle fight-back died a death nine minute later when Raya brought down Evanilson – and was sent the wrong way by Kluivert from the spot.