Bournemouth bounce back to stun Arsenal on south coast

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:35 am

Bournemouth scored twice in four minutes as they came from a goal down to see off Arsenal 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium for their first-ever win over the Gunners.

The home side mustered the first attempt when Adam Smith fired wide early on, but after eight minutes Arsenal were within a whisker of breaking through.

The chance came when Jack Wilshere, on loan at Bournemouth last season, linked with Alexandre Lacazette to find Ainsley Maitland-Niles, whose effort cannoned back off the bar.

Alex Iwobi tested home keeper Asmir Begovic before Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling was booked after going to ground under a Shkodran Mustafi challenge when the Arsenal player appeared to have caught him.

With 10 minutes to go until half-time, Arsenal were close to breaking through when Danny Welbeck evaded a Simon Francis challenge to force Begovic into more action, but back came Bournemouth and Ryan Fraser saw a dangerous-looking strike blocked.

After a quiet start, the second half burst into life when Arsenal took the lead after 52 minutes, Hector Bellerin on target after Iwobi had put him through one-on-one with Begovic, who got a hand to the strike but could not stop it.

Iwobi and Lacazette linked up after 67 minutes only for the final ball from the former to go awry -- and within three minutes of that wasted opportunity Bournemouth had equalised.

The goal came when Fraser and substitute Lys Mousset swapped passes down the right and Callum Wilson was in the right place to turn home the cross.

Four minutes later, soon after Arsenal had brought on Aaron Ramsey to try and get themselves going again, the turnaround was complete when Wilson controlled a long pass forward and set up Jordon Ibe, whose shot went in off Cech.

Wilshere had an effort blocked after making himself space with time running out, and soon afterwards Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe made a change, bringing off Ibe and replacing him with Marc Pugh.

Wilson made way for Benik Afobe with time running out as Bournemouth held on for three vital points to lift them to 13th and further away from the danger zone.