Arsenal lost at home to Bournemouth for the first time in their history as the Cherries fought back from a goal down to clinch a merited 2-1 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta was not afraid to put out a near full-strength XI even with Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon, but such a risk led to a reward when Declan Rice broke the deadlock on his 100th appearance for the Gunners.
The Cherries were not bereft of chances of their own, but thanks to a combination of last-ditch Gunners defending and wastefulness from Evanilson in particular, the hosts got to half time with a slender but precious lead.
However, as has been the case multiple times in 2024-25, Arsenal were punished for their failure to add to their advantage, as rumoured Gunners target Dean Huijsen headed home a leveller before Evanilson somehow scrambled home a second from a corner.
While Arsenal are still sitting second in the Premier League table, Arteta's men need at least four points to guarantee Champions League football next season, whereas the Cherries have risen up to eighth as they also pursue a spot on the continent.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Arsenal will not be winning the Premier League title this season, and based on today's evidence, they will not be winning the Premier League title for a while yet.
Yes, PSG may be playing on the Gunners' minds, but with Arteta selecting every single one of his available big-hitters barring Mikel Merino and the injured Jurrien Timber, fans had every right to expect much, much more.
However, taking a lead, struggling to break down the opposition again and being undone by defensive lapses in concentration has been the theme of Arsenal's season, so much so that they have now failed to win 10 Premier League games in which they have taken the lead this term, a new club record.
If a few fans were heading to Paris next week in more hope than expectation, the majority of the travelling crowd ought to be now, and with a top-five finish not secured just yet either, Arsenal's season could still end in disaster.
Credit to Bournemouth for refusing to give up the ghost, though; Iraola's men could count themselves unfortunate not to have scored before the break, but they got what they deserved and would be a welcome addition to the European scene next season.
ARSENAL VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
Declan Rice goal vs. Bournemouth (34th min, Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth)
Declan Rice gives Arsenal the lead against Bournemouth ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ywHdWOzSop
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 3, 2025
Much better from Martin Odegaard, much better from Arsenal, the hosts are ahead!
The Gunners captain picks the ball up some 40 yards from goal, and he produces a lovely little feint to take Tyler Adams out of the equation before playing a lovely reverse pass into Rice.
The Englishman makes a smart run across his marker, rounds Kepa Arrizabalaga and finishes into an empty net - no better way to mark your century of games for the club!
Dean Huijsen goal vs. Arsenal (67th min, Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth)
Dean Huijsen heads home after a long throw-in and Bournemouth are level! 🍒 pic.twitter.com/HACX3cf5xS
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 3, 2025
Death, taxes, and Arsenal letting 1-0 leads slip.
William Saliba initially does well to stop Antoine Semenyo in his tracks, but the Bournemouth substitute responds with a fabulous long throw into the mixer, and Huijsen rises highest to direct a brilliant header into the far corner.
Evanilson goal vs. Arsenal (75th min, Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth)
Evanilson gets it over the line at the far post 😮
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 3, 2025
Another set piece, another goal for Bournemouth against Arsenal! 👀 pic.twitter.com/6fmQW56MRJ
The corner kings are undone by a dead-ball delivery!
Marcus Tavernier makes a strong run to flick on Alex Scott's inswinging corner to the back post, where Evanilson and Martin Odegaard are tussling, and the former manages to bundle the ball over the line with the help of David Raya.
The VAR room checks to see whether the ball deflected off of Evanilson's elbow, but the goal stands.
MAN OF THE MATCH - DECLAN RICE
© Imago
If there was one Arsenal player who did not deserve to be on the losing side on Saturday, it was the smiling man above, who was easily the best player on the pitch in the first half and capped off a terrific display with a well-taken finish.
What is more, the £105m man won six of his seven ground duels, completing two successful dribbles and putting in three tackles, but his teammates simply let him down.
ARSENAL VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 51%-49% Bournemouth
Shots: Arsenal 13-9 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Arsenal 4-2 Bournemouth
Corners: Arsenal 2-3 Bournemouth
Fouls: Arsenal 7-16 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
Only two central midfielders have scored or assisted 10+ Premier League goals in each of the last two seasons:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 3, 2025
Bruno Guimarães
23/24
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
24/25
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
🆕 Declan Rice
23/24
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
24/25
⚽️⚽️⚽️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️ pic.twitter.com/JgruDWc2wr
21 - Arsenal have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their joint-most ever in a single campaign (level with 2019-20). Brittle. #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/wF2RkiqjWn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 2025
No defender has scored more headed goals than Dean Huijsen in the Premier League this season (3). 🍒 pic.twitter.com/3UrXUb9gPj
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 3, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
All roads now lead to Paris for Arsenal, who immediately switch focus to Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit to maintain any hope of a coveted European crown.
Arteta's team then face an equally daunting Premier League trip to champions Liverpool on May 11, one day after Bournemouth host Aston Villa in the 5.30pm kickoff again.
Ben Knapton
