Bournemouth stunned Arsenal in London, making the title race wide open | OneFootball

Arsenal lost 2-1 to Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in a match corresponding to Matchday 32 of the Premier League.

The first goal of the match was scored by Junior Kroupi in the 16th minute of the first half. Viktor Gyökeres equalized from the penalty spot in the 35th minute.

Alex Scott put the visitors back in front in the 75th minute.

Bournemouth struck early and Arsenal equalized from the spot

The first ten minutes of the match were cagey between the Gunners and the Cherries. There were no dangerous chances for the goals defended by David Raya and Djordje Petrovic. It was not until the 12th minute that Viktor Gyökeres threatened with the first real chance: a cutback cross, and before a teammate could tap it in, the ball was sent out for a corner.

It was not a goal, but the warning sign helped explain the pattern that followed, with Arsenal pressing high and taking the initiative. With Martín Zubimendi playing a leading role in midfield, the team began to control the ball at will.

However, football knows nothing of merit. And it was the visitors who broke the deadlock: a well-worked counterattack in the 16th minute ended with a goal by Junior Kroupi. A delightful through ball from Ryan Christie found Adrien Truffert bursting forward, he squared it across, there was a rebound, and the ball fell perfectly for Kroupi to make it 1-0 at the back post.

The match became an uphill battle for the Gunners, who lost their rhythm and sharpness. They had to wait until the 33rd minute for a Ryan Christie handball in the box to give them a penalty awarded by Michael Oliver. From 12 yards, Gyökeres fired his shot across goal to level the score for his team.

Alex Scott silenced the Emirates Stadium in the second half

In the second half, Mikel Arteta’s side came out all guns blazing in search of the win. But that momentum gradually faded, because Andoni Iraola’s team absorbed the pressure, slowed the match down, and became a real thorn in the Gunners’ side. They did not allow the league leaders’ fluid football to take over at the Emirates Stadium.

It was not until the 64th minute that Arsenal had a goal ruled out: Gyökeres received a through ball, went one-on-one, and scored past Petrovic, but he was in an offside position and the play was disallowed.

Declan Rice threatened almost immediately with a shot from outside the box that forced Petrovic to push the ball out for a corner.

Despite the league leaders’ persistence, it was Bournemouth, after an outstanding performance, who found the second goal. A run from Evanilson set up Alex Scott, who finished with class past the onrushing Raya. A crucial goal at exactly the right time.

Gyökeres, Arsenal’s most dangerous player in the match, had a chance to score the equalizer. A series of rebounds in the box left the ball perfectly for him at the penalty spot, but his shot flew over the crossbar.

The Swedish striker had his team’s final chance in stoppage time. He cut outside on the edge of the box and shot, but his effort went wide.

In the end, Iraola’s team took all three points and dealt a blow to Arteta’s side, who, after being eliminated from the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, could now see their place at the top of the Premier League come under threat.

Arsenal remain on 70 points compared to 61 for their closest pursuer, Manchester City, with the caveat that City have two games in hand.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.