Arsenal’s cardiac kids produced one of their biggest results of the season in a dramatic 3-2 win over relegation-threatened Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium to remain five points clear of champions Manchester City.
A #PL comeback for the ages 😅#ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/yKtxKvXgRC
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 4, 2023
The Cherries will feel hard done after jumping to a 2-0 lead in north London with goals on either side of the half-time interval, including a match opener via Danish international midfielder Philip Billing after just nine seconds. Center-back Marcos Senesi doubled their advantage in the 57th minute, with Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil already taking a massive away result as the south coast side still sat in the bottom three coming into the weekend program.
But Mikel Arteta’s young Gunners were not to be denied in front of home support in the capital, with Thomas Partey cutting the deficit in half just five minutes later from close range.
Hale End Academy product Reiss Nelson was the ultimate difference maker after coming off the bench for Emile Smith Rowe seven minutes later before only needing one minute to turn provider for Ben White’s equalizer and first Arsenal goal since his arrival from Brighton last season.
Reiss Nelson came on in the 69th minute.
He walks off with the WINNER for Arsenal! 🔥#MyPLMorning | #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/3h4XqXw0Rr
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 4, 2023
Nelson had more left in the tank during a season where he has much to prove if he is to remain on the books at his boyhood club, and he duly delivered a thunderbolt match-winner with the last kick of the ball after chesting down Bournemouth’s clearance from a Martin Ødegaard corner twenty yards out before dispatching a left-footed half volley into Neto’s top corner, sending the Emirates into rapture.
It was a performance befitting of a side capable of being crowned champions while paying homage to the spirit of belief and camaraderie that Arteta has continued to instill in the club since his return to the club. On a day when Manchester City could have closed the gap after their 2-0 win against Newcastle United at lunchtime, Arsenal showed why they lead the title race.
📰 Table Of Contents
Arsenal Player Ratings
- GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 6.5
- RB: Takehiro Tomiyasu – 6
- CB: William Saliba – 7
- CB: Gabriel Magalhães – 6.5
- LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7.5
- CM: Thomas Partey – 8
- CM: Fábio Vieira – 6.5
- CAM: Martin Ødegaard – 8
- RW: Bukayo Saka – 7.5
- LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 7
- CF: Leandro Trossard – 6
- Sub: Emile Smith Rowe – 6.5
- Sub: Ben White – 7.5
- Sub: Reiss Nelson – 8
- Sub: Granit Xhaka – 6.5
Bournemouth Player Ratings
- GK: Neto – 7
- RB: Adam Smith – 6
- RCB: Chris Mepham – 6.5
- CB: Jack Stephens – 7
- LCB: Marcos Senesi – 7
- LB: Jordan Zemura – 7
- RM: Dango Ouattara – 6.5
- CM: Joe Rothwell – 7
- CM: Philip Billing – 8
- LM: Antoine Semenyo – 6
- CF: Dominik Solanke – 7
- Sub: Jaidon Anthony – 6
- Sub: Ryan Fredericks – 6
- Sub: Lewis Cook – 6
- Sub: Ryan Christie – 5.5
Expert Takes & Social Media
Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth FT:
xG: 2.52-1.32
Shots: 30-4
Shots on target: 9-4
Big chances: 2-3
Touches in opp. box: 77-7
Possession: 81%-19%What a comeback from the Gunners! #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/FiK7dhHj4K
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) March 4, 2023
Arsenal have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the Premier League this season – 15.#ARSBOU
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) March 4, 2023
Reiss Nelson self-admittedly said he wasn’t professional enough in his younger career. The sub & impact he made today shows how much he has grown mentally. Had his card called and he was ready. Absolutely ready.#ARSBOU #Arsenal
— Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT (@3cbPerformance) March 4, 2023
Reiss Nelson’s game by numbers vs. Bournemouth:
100% pass accuracy
100% shot accuracy
100% take-ons completed
23 touches
5 crosses
2 chances created
2 shots on target
1 goal
1 assistThe most important goal of Arsenal’s season so far. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/mWbMvdrNEy
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 4, 2023
Arsenal had 77 touches inside the opposition box against Bournemouth, the most by any side in a PL game since Man City had 87 vs. Norwich in July 2020.
They also had 31 shots, the most the Gunners have had in a PL match since Dec 2017 (33 vs. Man Utd).
Comeback complete. 💪 pic.twitter.com/V6kQEizOQl
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 4, 2023
Arsenal have won after trailing by two or more goals in a Premier League game for the first time since they beat Spurs 5-2 on the 26th February 2012.
A 97th minute winner restores their five point lead. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tbTdalPeLY
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 4, 2023
Reiss Nelson on scoring the winner – ” It was amazing. Happy to win. Happy to get the 3 points. I’ve been here all my life. Arsenal means a lot to me.” pic.twitter.com/7OhyoFP4ax
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) March 4, 2023
Sadly that will be my last Arsenal game as I officially died pic.twitter.com/EhFHUJ6hk8
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) March 4, 2023
These are penalty decisions not given in just one game. Shambles pic.twitter.com/ZJH0X6z1FD
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) March 4, 2023
