Arsenal have been crushed for the primary time this season as William Saliba’s pink card performed a key function of their shock 2-0 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect had began the marketing campaign with a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions, however that streak was shattered in controversial circumstances on the south coast.
Arsenal defender Saliba was despatched off after half an hour for knowledgeable foul on Evanilson that was initially given as a reserving earlier than being upgraded to a pink card after a VAR assessment.
The Gunners lastly cracked within the closing phases as Ryan Christie put Bournemouth forward.
Justin Kluivert’s penalty ensured Arsenal would lose for the primary time since their Champions League quarter-final second leg defeat at Bayern Munich in April.
It was a bitter blow for Arsenal, who would have gone high of the Premier League with a victory however now must face title rivals Liverpool subsequent weekend with out the suspended Saliba.
Third-placed Arsenal might be 4 factors behind Liverpool by then if the leaders defeat Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
Arsenal have been effectively beneath their greatest in an unusually torpid show, underlining the significance of injured ahead Bukayo Saka, who was absent after coming off throughout England’s defeat towards Greece final weekend.
They’ll look to bounce again towards Shakhtar Donetsk within the Champions League on Tuesday.
A 1-1 draw on the Vitality Stadium in December 2019 was Arteta’s first recreation answerable for Arsenal.
The Gunners have come a good distance since then, reworked into perennial title contenders by the Spaniard.
However dropping to Bournemouth for under the second time of their historical past was a major setback to their bid to win a primary English title since 2004.
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Arsenal malaise
Arsenal struggled to seek out a lot rhythm on their return to motion after the worldwide break.
Leandro Trossard encapsulated their malaise within the thirtieth minute with a woeful go that left Saliba scrambling to catch Bournemouth ahead Evanilson.
Saliba’s panicked tug despatched the Brazilian sprawling halfway by the Arsenal half, prompting Rob Jones to point out a yellow card.
Bournemouth furiously claimed the French centre-back ought to have been despatched off for denying a goal-scoring alternative and their protest was heeded as VAR official Jared Gillett advised Jones to improve his choice to a pink card.
Arsenal almost took the lead regardless of Saliba’s untimely exit as Raheem Sterling’s go reached Mikel Merino, whose shot rippled the side-netting.
When Antoine Semenyo’s close-range strike was pushed away by David Raya, Arteta responded by sending on Poland defender Jakub Kiwior and transferring Declan Rice from midfield to fill the numerous gap left by Saliba.
Kiwior was instantly crushed by Semenyo, whose cross was spilled by Raya to Marcus Tavernier, however his shot drew an excellent cease from the Arsenal keeper.
Because the Gunners tried to cling on, Semenyo blazed over from simply 10 yards early within the second half earlier than Tavernier’s header crept inches huge.
Kepa Arrizabalaga virtually gifted Arsenal a objective when his wayward go reached Merino, who teed up Gabriel Martinelli, however the Bournemouth keeper redeemed himself with an excellent save.
Bournemouth lastly broke Arsenal’s cussed resistance within the seventieth minute
For as soon as, Arsenal’s set-piece experience was turned towards them as Lewis Prepare dinner’s low nook was flicked on by Kluivert and Christie guided a high quality end into the highest nook from 12 yards.
The Cherries struck once more within the 79th minute when Kiwior’s woeful back-pass was intercepted by Evanilson and Raya introduced down the Brazilian within the penalty space.
Kluivert stepped as much as ship Raya the flawed method from the spot to go away shell-shocked Arsenal in disbelief.
AFP
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