Bournemouth recorded only their second ever Premier League victory over the Gunners as Andoni Iraola’s side ran out 2-0 winners against ten-man Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium
The Cherries ended Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season courtesy of second-half goals from substitutes Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert after William Saliba had been sent off before the break.
Saliba’s dismissal mid-way through the first half changed the complexion of the game entirely, but Bournemouth made the most of the numerical advantage as Iraola emerged victorious in the battle of the Basque Country managers.
Mikel Arteta was without Bukayo Saka for the clash on the south coast after suffering an injury on international duty, while summer signing Mikel Merino made his first start for the Gunners.
Despite Saka’s absence, Arsenal were still firm favourites going into the tie, with the last time Bournemouth taking points in a league game with their north London opponents coming during Arteta’s first game in charge.
We are decent 🔥 pic.twitter.com/i9Xu1tW2lu
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 19, 2024
The opening 20 minutes, however, was largely uneventful: a contest between two teams with similar playing styles that yielded very few chances.
But on 27 minutes came the turning point in the match, as Saliba was shown a straight red card for a pull back on Evanilson.
Saliba had initially been cautioned for tugging Evanilson back as the Brazilian looked set to race clear after latching on to Leandro Trossard’s wayward pass, but the decision was changed to red following a VAR review.
It meant that for the third time this season, Arsenal were forced to play a significant portion of the game a man down.
The dismissal appeared to spark the crowd to life as the noise levels inside the Vitality Stadium began to grow.
Bournemouth suddenly saw an opportunity for an upset. Antoine Semenyo stung the palms of David Raya in the Arsenal goal before Raheem Sterling made way, replaced by Jakub Kiwior as Arteta looked to sure up his defence.
Semenyo was becoming an increasing threat to Arsenal down Bournemouth’s left-hand side. Five minutes before half-time, he beat Kiwior for pace before sending a driven cross into the Gunners box that Raya failed to hold.
However, the Spanish keeper quickly atoned for his error by saving well from Marcus Tavernier’s follow-up shot.
Thomas Partey then smashed a volley high over the bar after a rare venture forward from the visitors.
William Saliba has been sent off following a VAR review 🟥 pic.twitter.com/z20aHFFA7i
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 19, 2024
The second half continued in much the same vein, with the hosts using their numerical advantage to dominate possession.
Kai Havertz, whose first goal in an Arsenal shirt came in this fixture last season, worked tirelessly up front, feeding largely on scraps for the majority of the game.
It was Bournemouth, however, who looked most likely to break the deadlock, with Iraola making a triple change just after the hour mark in a bid to unpick the lock in visitor’s defence.
In a rare chance for the Arsneal, substitute Gabriel Martinelli had a great opportunity to score when he was played through but his tame shot was well saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Two minutes later, it was two of the host’s subs – Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie – who combined as Bournemouth eventually opened the scoring.
A left-wing corner plucked straight from the training ground was curled low towards the near post.
Kluivert flicked the ball neatly into the space near the penalty spot where Christie arrived late, opened his body and side-footed a first-time effort high into the net.
Substitute Ryan Christie with a SENSATIONAL finish for Bournemouth! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/m4k0DZTa6V
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 19, 2024
Things then went from bad to worse for the Gunners when an under-hit pass back by Kiwior was pounced on by Evanilson who rounded Raya but was subsequently brought down by the Arsenal keeper.
Referee Rob Jones immediately pointed to the spot and Kluivert duly dispatched the penalty, coolly sending Raya the wrong way to double Bournemouth’s lead.
And it proved enough for the hosts, who saw out the remainder of the game to record a famous victory.
