Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth: Reiss Nelson Scores Last-Gasp Winner As Gunners Come From Two Down To Beat Cherries

Reiss Nelson was the hero for Arsenal as his 97th-minute goal clinched an incredible Gunners comeback from 2-0 down to a 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.

A unusual encounter at a noisy Emirates Stadium began with the Cherries taking the lead after only nine seconds, as a well-worked kick-off move was finished by Philip Billing at the back post.

Mikel Arteta’s team dominated the possession and chances against the relegation-threatened side, retaining 80 per cent of the ball and produced 30 shots on goal altogether – but went further behind to Marco Senesi’s header from a corner.

Yet Arsenal’s young team were not to be dejected as they levelled the game with two goals in seven minutes after the hour mark. Both goals came from unlikely sources as Partey tapped home at the back post from Emile Smith Rowe’s header, before White completed Nelson’s cross.

And while Arsenal pushed and puffed for a winner, Nelson curled home with the final kick of the game to stir bedlam at the Emirates, with the Gunners’ five-point lead at the top of the table intact.

The Cherries players set five men on the left of the halfway line at the kick-off but played the ball right to Dango Ouattara, who crossed for an unmarked Billing to tap home past Aaron Ramsdale.

The Emirates were surprised but the home audience shouted their team towards encouragement. It nearly led to a quick equalize as Neto got down brilliantly to prevent Martin Odegaard’s shot from the edge the box, the Cherries goalkeeper being quick to deny Bukayo Saka at the rebound.

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The same Arsenal combination tried the Bournemouth goalkeeper again – but despite the hosts having nearly 85% possession, the Cherries had the next major chance of the game.

Team news

Arsenal made three changes from the squad who beat Everton 4-0. Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced Granit Xhaka, Jorginho and Ben White. This was only Vieira’s second Premier League start for Arsenal.

Bournemouth made two changes from the team thrashed 4-1 by Manchester City last week. Jefferson Lerma and Hamed Traore were missing, therefore Joe Rothwell and Antoine Semenyo began.

Dominic Solanke’s break saw him play Billing in behind the defence, put onside by the retreating Leandro Trossard who was carrying an injury.

Billing squared to Solanke and Ouattara in the penalty box, who were both poised for a tap-in but Ramsdale denied the latter with a stunning sprawling save.

Trossard walked off hurt with Emile Smith Rowe replacing him off the bench. That reduced Arsenal’s momentum marginally in terms of forward effect, despite having two VAR checks on a Chris Mepham handball and a challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu go against their way.