Arsenal suffered a blip in their bid to finally win the Premier League title as they suffered an unexpected defeat by Bournemouth on the south coast.
And which Cherries star was ‘a handful all game?’ Who ‘seemed to get bypassed with not much difficulty’ for the Gunners? And who ‘kept finding himself isolated’ for the visitors?
It was an early red card that did for the visitors, with William Saliba adjudged to have denied Evanilson an obvious goal scoring opportunity after a VAR review, having initially only been shown yellow.
Arsenal have done it with 10 before, but Ryan Christie scored from a smart corner kick routine and Justin Kluivert then netted from the penalty spot to secure the win.
Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN was at the Vitality Stadium to rate both sides’ players.
Justin Kluivert was on the scoresheet as Bournemouth earned a surprise win over Arsenal
The game changed early on when William Saliba was shown red on the back of bringing down Evanilson
The Gunners held on until Ryan Christie fired in from a smart corner kick routine from the hosts
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7
Faced fewer shots than expected, owing to Saliba’s red card which badly affected Arsenal’s plans. Gave the ball away to Merino but saved Martinelli’s follow up shot well. A clean sheet in the end.
Julian Araujo – 6
Connected well with Ouattara in terms of getting play forward. Hooked at half-time.
Illia Zabarnyi – 6.5
Not fazed by the physical threat in front of him and dug deep in the first 30 minutes when the Gunners were able to enjoy possession around the box.
Marcos Senesi – 6.5
Stood up to the task alongside Zabaryni, particularly when up against Havertz.
Milos Kerkez – 6.5
Put in a great shift at full back. Was vigilant in making sure to keep tabs on staying in shape with the defence.
Alex Scott – 7
An important link between the backline and attack. An energetic display. Laid off Semenyo well after intercepting Raya’s error.
Kepa Arrizabalaga faced fewer shots than expected and earned a clean sheet for the Cherries
Lewis Cook – 6.5
His short corner, which was flicked on by substitute Kluivert, resulted in the Cherries’ goal. Played well overall.
Antoine Semenyo – 8
All over the pitch. Whether making inroads from out wide or getting into the area, Semenyo was a constant threat to Arsenal. Should have scored after 47 minutes, striking the ball over the bar from 10 yards. Yet his performance went a big way towards his team winning.
Marcus Tavernier – 6.5
Enjoyed more of the ball in second half. Added a different element to the Bournemouth attack.
Dango Outtara – 7
A handful all game. Gave White a nightmare when up tight in crossing positions. Relentlessly charged around and got the ball into the box multiple times.
Evanilson – 7
His run caused Saliba to foul him, resulting in the red card. The game-changing moment.
Manager
Andoni Iraola – 7
Two of his substitutes combined to score their first goal. Tactics were spot on and got his just rewards.
Antoine Semenyo was all over the pitch and should have scored when he fired over the bar
Evalison caused the game-changing moment when he was taken down by Saliba in the first half
Arsenal (4-3-3)
David Raya – 5
Gave the ball to Scott in the first half which the Cherries didn’t capitalise on. Made some good saves but brought down Evanilson which resulted in a penalty.
Ben White – 5
Semenyo and Ouattara caused him problems on that right flank. Has only just returned back from injury so that will likely have been a contributing factor. Not at his usual best.
William Saliba – 4.5
Poor decision to pull back Evanilson, which VAR rightly adjudged as worthy of a red card. The contact was light, but the Frenchman knew what he was doing.
Gabriel – 6
Had a heavy load on his shoulders with no Saliba for most of the match. In that respect, did his best to stand up to the challenge.
Gabriel had a heavy load on his shoulers with no Saliba for most of the match and did his best to stand up to the challenge
Riccardo Calafiori – 5.5
A decent display, adapting to the sending off, but this was a tougher task than he would have expected.
Declan Rice – 5.5
Tried to nullify the Cherries’ relentless press in the middle. Though kept finding himself isolated and had to deal with the opposition having a numerical advantage.
Thomas Partey – 6
Got stuck into tackles and played some nice passes from defensive positions. Though found him and his team being ran over in midfield.
Mikel Merino – 5.5
Played surprisingly forward. Did make some nice link ups in attack, but seemed to get bypassed with not much difficulty during drives forward by the opposition.
Raheem Sterling – 5
Should have shot when he got past Kerkez, but chose not to. The fall guy, substituted after going down to 10 men.
Kai Havertz – 5
Wasn’t able to utilise his best asset, which is his aerial ability. Did not get any chances of not in front of goal.
Raheem Sterling was the fall guy, substituted when Arsenal went down to 10 men early on
Kai Havertz wasn’t able to utilise his best asset and didn’t get any chances in front of goal
Leandro Trossard – 5
His awful pass led to Saliba being sent off for a rash challenge. Aside from this, did look lively on the ball. That pass, however, supersedes the rest.
Manager
Mikel Arteta – 5.5
Struggled to adapt. Not an easy task, but nevertheless, these are the matches Arsenal just cannot lose.
