Arsenal's frayed nerves starkly exposed by classy Bournemouth
PAIN GAME: Arsenal's Gabriel reacts following defeat in the Premier League against Bournemouth.
Arsenal's quest towards a first Premier League title in 22 years suffered a potentially crippling blow Saturday as goals from Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott secured Bournemouth a huge win at the Emirates Stadium.
Defeat for the Gunners leaves them nine points clear of second placed Manchester City, having played two games more than their title rivals. Bournemouth's second consecutive win at the Emirates leaves the ninth in the table, four points off a Champions League place. It extends the Cherries unbeaten run in the League to 12 games.
After rallying the home faithful to bring the noise for this lunch time showdown, the Gunner nerves were evident from the off. It was not aided by Mikel Arteta's side looking lethargic and out of ideas, as they struggled to contain Andoni Iraola's all action Cherries.
It was a shaky start from the Gunners and the visitors pounced in the 17th minute as they took the lead through Kroupi. Ryan Christie split open the home defence to send Adrien Truffert into the Arsenal box, and his cross, via a deflection off Gabriel found its way to 19-year-old at the back post to tap in for his tenth league goal of the season.
However, 34 minutes in, the hosts were given a lifeline when referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty for Christie handling Gabriel's shot inside the Bournemouth penalty area. Viktor Gyokeres dully accepted the invitation to fire home his 11th goal of the season from the spot to bring Arsenal level at the break.
The second half started in familiar vein to the first, with David Raya's improvised pass in the 54th minute raising the heartbeats of the entirety of the Emirates after being intercepted by Evanilson, fortunately for the Spaniard the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
Despite Arsenal gaining a level of control in the game, Bournemouth would find themselves back in front on 74 minutes as Alex Scott powered through the home defence before smashing the ball past Raya to deepen Arsenal's woes.
The attacking substitutions of Max Dowman, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus did little to improve Arsenal's situation, as Bournemouth repelled any attacks that were thrown their way.
Gyokeres found the back of the net on 64 minutes but he had strayed offside before Rice took aim from 25 yards and Djordje Petrovic tipped over. However, at the other end, David Raya was struggling to deal with Bournemouth's high press and, after his defence gave the ball away for the umpteenth time, Bournemouth struck.
David Brooks' pass was diverted by Evanilson into an onrushing Scott who blasted past Raya. Arsenal were crestfallen and never looked like troubling the scorers.
Petrovic was equal to substitute Gabriel Jesus' header and a chance fell to Gyokeres at the death but the Sweden international miscued his effort and the home side were left to stew on a defeat that could prove more than troublesome in their title tilt.
It is a devastating blow for Arteta's men, who failed to build on their morale-boosting win in midweek. They now go head to head with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium next week, in a match that could decide the destination of the Premier League.
(4-2-3-1) - Raya 5; White (Mosquera, 76') 5, Saliba 6, Gabriel 6, Lewis-Skelly 5; Zubimendi (Jesus, 76') 4, Rice 6; Martinelli (Trossard 54') 5, Havertz (Eze, 54') 4, Madueke (Dowman, 54') 6; Gyokeres 7.
Kepa, Hincapie, Norgaard, Salmon.
(4-2-3-1) - Petrovic 6; Jimenez (Smith, 90') 6, Hill 7, Senesi 6, Truffert 6; Scott 8, Christie (Adams, 70') 6; Tavernier 6, Kroupi (Toth,85') 7, Rayan (Brooks, 70') 5; Evanilson (Unal, 90') 5.
Mandas, Diakite, Adli, Gannon-Doak.
: Michael Oliver 6
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