Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike and bizarre Jefferson Lerma own goal earn Arsenal win

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:26 am

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second-half goal earned Arsenal a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth which moved them to within a point of fourth-placed Chelsea.

The visitors took the lead on 30 minutes after a comical own goal by Jefferson Lerma, but were pegged back with the last action of the half after being caught on the counter -- extending their record of never having led at the interval this season.

Bournemouth could have moved above Manchester United and to within a point of Arsenal if they had managed to continue their fine start to the campaign with another three points.

And they thought they had taken the lead on seven minutes, when David Brooks slotted past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The goal was ruled out for offside, though replays showed Shkodran Mustafi had been playing Brooks onside.

The Cherries were on top in the early exchanges but were fell behind when Lerma inadvertently volleyed Sead Kolasinac's cross into his own net. Had it been at the right end, it would have been a superb finish.

Arsenal were galvanised by the goal and were all over their hosts as they went in search of a second.

Arsenal players celebrate as they secure 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

But, just past the 45 minute mark, Bournemouth went from one end to the other in a flash, with Joshua King finishing off a superb counterattack.

The second half was anyone's game, with both sides looking to score. Lerma was guilty of almost gifting Arsenal another goal, when he gave the ball to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who played in Aubayameyang, only for the Gabon striker to fluff his lines on 65 minutes.

However, just 60 seconds later, Aubameyang had restored his side's lead after sliding in Kolasniac's low cross following some great work from Alex Iwobi to earn a first win away at Bournemouth for nearly three years.