Premier League 2024-25: Arsenal loses to Bournemouth after squandering lead
Premier League 2024-25: Arsenal loses to Bournemouth after squandering lead
Bournemouth won away at Arsenal for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday, and completed a memorable double to boost its chances of playing in Europe next season, thanks to a second-half fightback en route to a thrilling 2-1 win.
At Emirates, Arsenal’s preparations for its huge Champions League second leg against Paris St Germain on Wednesday took a huge blow after Bournemouth’s Evanilson and Dean Huijsen scored in quick succession.
Declan Rice gave the Gunners the lead in the 34th minute, rounding goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and producing an accomplished finish on his 100th Arsenal appearance.
Arsenal had chances to extend its lead, but Dean Huijsen gave Bournemouth a deserved equaliser in the 67th minute before Evanilson bundled home eight minutes later to complete the turnaround.
“Massive disappointment,” Gunners captain Martin Odegaard told Sky Sports. “It is too chaotic and too sloppy from us. The second half is not acceptable.
“It is a massive game on Wednesday, but we have to use today to be ready and beat PSG on Wednesday.”
Bournemouth moves up to eighth in the table, which could be enough for European football next season, with 53 points, while Arsenal, which has just two league wins from six games, stays second with 67 points, three points above third-placed Manchester City.
“First of all we knew that we have never got a point here and that motivated us more. We’re a team that always give our all,” Huijsen told Sky Sports. “It’s a really important three points for us.”
Aston Villa beat Fulham 1-0 to improve its hopes of finishing in the league’s top five and qualifying for the Champions League, while Leicester City defeated fellow relegated side Southampton 2-0 to end its nine-game drought without a goal at King Power Stadium.
Everton’s emotional farewell to Goodison Park continued with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town as the relegated visitor came from two goals down to rescue a point.
Published on May 04, 2025
