Arsenal 1–2 Bournemouth Player Ratings: Evanilson’s Winner Completes a Famous Comeback as Bournemouth Do the Double Against Arsenal

Bournemouth created history at the Emirates Stadium by winning 2-1 against a shell-shocked Arsenal. The Cherries win their first ever game at Arsenal’s home. It was their first point here as well. The visitors also managed to do their first league double over the Gunners. Arsenal, meanwhile, have lost a game they had led at halftime at home for the first time in three and a half years.

Declan Rice celebrated his 100th appearance for the Gunners as he opened the scoring with a fine finish. The Gunners were sailing smoothly before something snapped in the halftime break. Bournemouth took advantage of two set pieces to completely turn the game around.

Antoine Semenyo’s throw-in was headed in by Dean Huijsen, who equalised. Evanilson scored from a corner as they took the lead and defended brilliantly to see the game out. They are in contention for European places yet again as Arsenal suffer back-to-back losses in all competitions.

Arsenal had a miserable week last time out. Their title hopes ended when Liverpool won the league against Tottenham. They suffered a midweek reverse at home against PSG in the Champions League as well. Keeping the massive second leg in mind, Mikel Arteta was expected to make some changes to the lineup, However, the Spaniard named a strong lineup including all the key starters.

Bournemouth’s stellar campaign was seeing a stale end as they lost form terribly. The Cherries picked up only one victory in their last 11 games in all competitions. They were desperate to turn their fortunes around and have an outside chance of making it to European spots. Striker Evanilson’s red card was overturned after their appeal, and he was eligible to start this game.

Arsenal’s choice to start their big guns made them a favourite as they controlled the game better. They managed to restrict Bournemouth to only counters, with some good passing in the middle of the park. Gabriel Martinelli squandered a huge chance for the Gunners, and Leandro Trossard had his header saved by Kepa.

Bournemouth posed a couple of threatening situations as well. Milos Kerkez whipped in a fantastic cross for Evanilson, who failed to hit the target. Evanilson was the guilty party again as he was gifted the ball by Raya, but he failed to keep it on target yet again.

Arsenal punished the visitors, who were a tad slow to reach in the midfield through their captain. Martin Odegaard released a perfect through ball that Declan Rice managed to latch onto. He took the ball around an onrushing Kepa before firing it into a net guarded frantically by two defenders. It marked Rice’s eighth goal of the season to celebrate his 100th appearance for the Gunners.

Bournemouth felt they must have had an immediate penalty when William Saliba tackled Dango Ouattara in the box. The referee and the VAR felt that it was a fair tackle. They came close through Justin Kluivert to equalise before the break.

The Gunners took a slender one-goal lead into the break, knowing that they hadn’t lost a home game in which they’d had a half-time lead for three years. They started the second half quite comfortably as well and created good chances for Bukayo Saka and Martinelli.

Bournemouth managed to hang on and brought on their starman, Antoine Semenyo, with the hope of getting something from the game. Semenyo produced an instant impact not with his feet but with his hands. The winger took a huge throw-in that his centre-back Dean Huijsen deposited in the back of the net with a fine header to draw the Cherries level.

The goal came out of nowhere as Arsenal were pulled back. They had a quarter of the game to find a winner. But the visitors weren’t going away as they increased pressure with renewed confidence. They were given a helping hand by a sloppy David Raya.

Evanilson completed the comeback when he scored from a layoff by Marcus Tavernier. The winger deflected a vicious corner into an Evanilson, who was battling with Odegaard at the backpost. The ball hit his midriff and bounced onto Raya, who failed to pouch it.

To the Spaniard’s horror, the ball trickled into the back of the net as Evanilson was wheeling away in celebration. A lengthy VAR check was followed to check whether Evanilson was onside, and there was no handball involved. He was given a second chance to celebrate when the VAR confirmed the goal.

Arsenal couldn’t believe how they gave up their lead and fell behind without doing anything wrong. The team, so strong at scoring set pieces, fell victim to defending them twice. Bournemouth played dominantly for the last 15 minutes or so to ensure they wouldn’t let go of this lead as the referee blew his full-time whistle.

Arsenal lost at the Emirates for the first time to Bournemouth. Severe questions will be asked of Arteta’s team selection and how they gave up a lead so simply. The Gunners would be nervously looking over their shoulder in the league table as well. However, they shouldn’t spend too much on this game as they have a key game coming up. Arsenal travel to Paris for the all-important second leg of the semis against PSG next.

Bournemouth won for the first time at the Emirates Stadium. Andoni Iraola’s side were looking down and out until he made some key subs. They lived up to their giant killer tag and did their first-ever league double over Arsenal. They rose to eighth in the league table as well. The Cherries take on Aston Villa in the league next in a must-win game.

Here are the player ratings for Arsenal vs Bournemouth.

Arsenal Player Ratings

GK- David Raya- 4/10

Gave the ball away a couple of times and could’ve been embarrassed so easily. Had to count his stars that the forwards missed their chances. Made a meal out of Evanilson’s shot as it hit him and trickled over the line.

RB- Ben White- 7/10

Pulled off an incredible skill move akin to Andres Iniesta when he darted into the enemy box early in the game. Had a stellar defensive shift to keep the visitors at bay as well.

CB- William Saliba- 6/10

Made a fantastic lunging challenge to prevent a certain goal in the first half. It could’ve so easily been a red card and a penalty, but the Frenchman timed his tackles all day long.

CB- Jakub Kiwior- 6/10

Lost Evanilson quite a few times as the striker made merry. Lucky that he wasn’t punished on those occasions.

LB- Myles Lewis-Skelly- 6.5/10

The usual energy house displayed a more attacking threat than a defensive one. But he did his duties in defence when called upon as well.

CM- Declan Rice- 7.5/10

Enjoyed his highest-ever goal-scoring season as he took a fine chance by rounding the goalkeeper. Made constant shifts between the tox boxes.

CM- Thomas Partey- 7/10

Showed how badly his side missed him in the PSG tie. Commanded the midfield by winning numerous tackles and playing the ball with ease.

CM- Martin Odegaard- 7.5/10

Rediscovered the joy of creating as he slipped in an inch-perfect pass for Rice to attack. He was robbed when Raya sold him short with a bad pass in his half.

RW- Bukayo Saka- 6/10

Had a quiet game as he failed to take advantage of Kerkez’s attacking instincts. Used his strength well in the box, though, to create a couple of chances.

ST- Leandro Trossard- 6/10

Had a fantastic header saved well by Kepa. Tried his best to be involved in the build-up play, but he was best off while trying the false nine position.

LW- Gabriel Martinelli- 6.5/10

Enjoyed a good game on the wing but again failed to find the output needed. Missed a glorious chance in the first half when he fired wide under no pressure.

SUB- Mikel Merino- 6/10

SUB- Raheem Sterling- 6/10

SUB- Ethan Nwaneri- 6/10

SUB- Oleksandr Zinchenko- 6/10

Manager- Mikel Arteta- 5/10

Surprised everyone by naming a strong lineup. He believes that playing continuously is the best way to gather momentum. Thankfully, his side avoided any major scares and got the job done in the first half before capitulating in the second half.

Also Read: Arsenal 0–1 PSG Player Ratings: A Nervy Win for PSG Puts Them Marginally Ahead After the First Leg in the Champions League Semi-Final

Bournemouth Player Ratings

GK- Kepa Arrizabalaga- 6.5/10

Made a sharp save to deny a Leandro Trossard header. Overcommitted for the first goal as Rice tapped it into an empty net.

RB- Julian Araujo- 6/10

Dealt with Martinelli reasonably well as the Brazilian winger searched for new avenues every time. But couldn’t find much to contribute to the attack.

CB- Illia Zabarnyi- 6.5/10

At fault for the first goal they conceded, as Declan Rice slipped past him. Failed to clear the follow-up attempt as well. Did very well to close out the game.

CB- Dean Huijsen- 7/10

Had a shaky outing as Saka gave him a tough time by cutting in and threatening. He was the centre of Bournemouth’s build-up from the back. Scored the equaliser with a fine header from a throw-in.

LB- Milos Kerkez- 7/10

Whipped in a brilliant delivery for Evanilson, but it wasn’t converted. He made some very good recovery tackles to assert some dominance for the visitors.

CDM- Lewis Cook- 6/10

The skipper was a mere holographic presence as Arsenal’s midfield toyed with them for the first goal. Needed to bring more aggression to thwart the hosts.

CDM- Tyler Adams- 6/10

Drifted wide to deal with Arsenal’s flowing attacks on the left and was bypassed easily at times. Failed to provide control with his passing.

RW- Marcus Tavernier- 7/10

Tried to cut inwards but rarely found success against the tenacious Lewis-Skelly. Had to do a lot of tracking back. Attacked the corner to find Evanilson at the back post for the winner.

CAM- Justin Kluivert- 6.5/10

Took on the onus of chance creation by dropping deep. Had a fantastic run and missed the finish by only a whisker. Should have scored towards the end of the first half.

LW- Dango Ouattara- 7/10

Was cautious in his approach against Ben White and often had a helping hand from Kerkez in attack. Combined well with Kluivert to create openings.

ST- Evanilson- 8/10

Missed a golden chance to give Bournemouth the lead with a header in the first half. Was making purposeful runs all day. Finally took his chance, but he was completely unaware of where the ball struck him on its way to the goal.

SUB- Alex Scott- 7/10

Curled in a fantastic corner that led to their second goal.

SUB- Antoine Semenyo- 7/10

A massive throw-in to draw his side level as soon as he came onto the pitch.

SUB- David Brooks- 6/10

Manager- Andoni Iraola- 7/10

His side failed to take chances, and it came back to bite them again. The inexperience they have is showing at the wrong time of the season. Reaped the rewards again with good substitutions. Completely turned it around in the second half to record a famous victory.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Evanilson

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