William Saliba’s first-half red card set Arsenal on their way to a 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium as Mikel Arteta’s side missed the chance to go top of the Premier League.
The defender was dismissed for hauling down striker Evanilson near the halfway line, denying him a clear run on goal as for the third time this season the visitors finished a league game with 10 men.
Andoni Iraola’s side saw a chance to inflict Arsenal’s first loss of the season and took it most clinically, taking the lead 20 minutes from time when substitute Ryan Christie hit an unstoppable effort into the top corner just as Arsenal appeared to have come through unscathed from the worst of Bournemouth’s pressure.
Arsenal pushed on and inevitably left gaps. Evanilson took advantage when he got in behind and was felled by goalkeeper David Raya, handing Justin Kluivert the job of capping a fine victory from the penalty spot.
An uneventful opening 20 minutes saw the Gunners limited creatively by Bournemouth’s disciplined high press, the closest either side came to a goal when Raya gifted the ball with a dreadful pass only for Antoine Semenyo to thrash at the chance.
The shape of the game shifted with the sending off in the 30th minute. Evanilson still had the whole of the Arsenal half to traverse in pursuit of a looped ball over the top but crucially had manoeuvred goal side of Saliba and threatened to race clear.
Saliba was the last man – there was little chance of Ben White making up the distance to cover from right-back – and clearly dragged Evanilson to the ground, though it took a pitch-side review to convert Robert Jones’ initial yellow card to a red.
Arsenal had gone down to 10 against Brighton and Manchester City this season and each time set up defensively to preserve a result, but they might have defied their predicament and gone ahead had Mikel Merino not dragged wide from Marcos Senesi’s poor defensive header.
Arteta sacrificed Raheem Sterling for defensive reinforcement in the shape of Jakub Kiwior, and thereafter Bournemouth penned Arenal back.
Raya gifted them a chance when he fumbled Semenyo’s low cross then immediately saved a certain goal, springing up in a blur to smother Marcus Tavernier’s rebound.
Semenyo blew a golden opportunity to make hay on Bournemouth’s advantage at the start of the second half, ballooning over after Milos Kerkez picked him out in space at the far post.
Gabriel Martinelli was sent on in attack, an affirmation of Arteta’s belief his side could nick it.
Indeed they might have but for Kepa Arrizabalaga’s fine save with his legs from the Brazilian after initially giving the ball away with a casual pass.
It capped Arsenal’s best spell since the red card but soon they were rocked by Christie’s rocket, blasted in first time from a corner past a static Raya as Kluivert’s clever flick fooled the visitors’ defence.
Not long after, Arsenal’s fate was sealed. Kiwior carelessly allowed Evanilson to nip in over his shoulder, Raya raced out to repair the damage but in his haste toppled the striker. Kluivert sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot for 2-0.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. EPL Week 22 Ronaldo on this day Chelsea eyeing possible Garnacho move IT'S ALWAYS HIM! Which club should El Capitano - @sergioramos JOIN? It was special 2'—Benfica 1-0 Barcelona 13'—Benfica 1-1 Barcelona 22'—Benfica 2-1 Barcelona 30'—Benfica 3-1 Barcelona 64'—Benfica 3-2 Barcelona 68'—Benfica 4-2 Barcelona 78'—Benfica...
Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for Jack Grealish.Jack Grealish has been linked with a surprise move to Manchester UnitedManchester United are reportedly weighing up a surprise move for Jack Grealish, who faces an uncertain future at Manchester City.The former Aston Villa forward has struggled for game time over the last few months and has only scored one goal for City in h...
KYLE WALKER is to join AC Milan after agreeing a 12-month loan deal, SunSport can reveal.The Manchester City skipper, 34, is expected in Italy in the coming days before being unveiled to the Rossoneri.Kyle Walker has agreed a move to AC MilanHe was poised to join their fierce city rivals, Inter, after telling City of his desire to quit the Etihad but talks broke down over his wages.AC Milan have n...
Lecce's president revealed he met with Manchester United representatives regarding Patrick Dorgu but warned to keep their hands off the player.Man Utd officials met with Lecce for Dorgu Serie A side reportedly want €40m Club president insists player is not for saleWHAT HAPPENED?United are actively exploring options to strengthen their left wing-back position, a role head coach Ruben Amorim s...
Barcelona eye Musiala as summer targetBarcelona have reportedly identified Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala as a priority for their upcoming transfer plans, according to Sport. Musiala’s current deal with Bayern Munich runs until 2026, but reports suggest that the Bundesliga champions are already in negotiations for a contract extension. Whether Barcelona can tempt him away from the Al...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Chelsea 's back !!Chelsea 3-1 Wolves Arsenal watching Premier League teams copy their corner kick style. Respect for Antony THAT FINAL WAS SPECIAL! STREETS WON'T FORGET! Lamine Yamal is so young that he will be just 23 years old at the 2030 FIFA World Cup!Most of us will retire from our professions before Lamine Yamal retires from football. The GOAT Vs Sir Bobb...
Manchester United are still waiting for the sale which could act as the trigger point for a frenzy of January transfer activity at Old Trafford. And they could soon get it, with Antony, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho among those heavily linked elsewhere.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted his side will take action in the market if the right opportunity presents itself, while Tottenham m...
Ferran Torres has pledged his commitment to Barcelona.The attacker is being linked with AC Milan this week.But ahead of their Champions League clash with Benfica, Torres said: "I could say that I have learned a lot, with ups and downs. I have had some great moments and some not so great ones."It's been a very nice time and I have a lot of confidence in the club. The future? It will be here, playin...
Fabrizio Romano has provided CaughtOffside with an exclusive video update on the Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea story that has emerged today.In a new post for the Daily Briefing, Romano confirmed the stories about Chelsea’s interest in the Manchester United winger, whilst also reporting on Napoli being keen.Although Garnacho has mostly been an important player for Man Utd in the last couple o...
Manchester City have completed the signing of Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.City have agreed a deal worth €40 million ($41.6m) plus add-ons for the 20-year-old, who has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium.Khusanov, who has been handed the No. 45 shirt, is set to become the first Uzbeki to play in the Premier League."I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester Ci...
- 1 Benjamin Sesko has already said yes to Arsenal
- 2 Joao Felix eyed by ‘very interested club’
- 3 Liverpool flop and ex-Page 3 girl were 'freaked out'
- 4 Shaun Murphy copies Lionel Messi as he sleeps with Masters trophy
- 5 Teen arrested after shock abuse against Kai Havertz's wife Sophia
- 6 Daily Laugh - Chelsea 's back !!
- 7 Man Utd 'consider Jack Grealish transfer'
- 8 Mourinho makes drastic career change and launches 'The Special One' wine
- 9 Ex-Bundesliga star's WAG has intimate tattoo of footballer husband
- 10 City, Frankfurt reach deal for Marmoush