Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-2 to retain top spot

Arsenal went into this match expecting an easy day against a struggling Bournemouth side. The match was the complete opposite.

The fans had hardly all got to their seats when Bournemouth took the lead. They took the lead straight from kick off through Danish midfielder Philip Billings. It was a shock that no one expected. This early setback did not affect the team. Arsenal created several chances, including one that fell to Odegaard. His shot was saved by Neto. Saka’s follow up hit the goalkeeper in the chest.

Bournemouth could and maybe should have gone further ahead in the first half. Arsenal’s search for a quick equaliser left them open to counter attacks and one of them should have produced a goal. A brilliant save by Ramsdale prevented the away team from going further ahead. there was a shout for a penalty from Arsenal players but it was waved away by the referee and VAR did not award it.

Bournemouth went further ahead 12 minutes after the start of the second half. A corner in the 57th minute was headed into the net by Marcos Senesi. This did not affect Arsenal who continued to play well and look for a way back into the match. They got their reward in the 62nd minute. A corner taken by Saka was headed by Smith Rowe back into Bournemouth’s six-yard area and finished by Partey. The equaliser came 8 minutes later. A cross from substitute Reiss Nelson was met by Ben White. His shot was saved by Neto, but had crossed the line before the goalkeeper saved it.

Arsenal continued to push for the win, and the 3 points needed to remain 5 points ahead of Manchester City. The goal came with virtually the last kick of the match. In the 97th minute an Arsenal corner was headed into the patch of Reiss Nelson by a Bournemouth player. The Arsenal player took a touch and hit it with his left foot into the net. The whole stadium erupted. The Arsenal substitutes and the entire match day team flooded onto the pitch to celebrate the goal.

The match ended 3-2. Arsenal retain their 5 points lead over Manchester City.