Arsenal suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, dealing a blow to their momentum ahead of a crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Declan Rice gave the Gunners the lead in the 34th minute, marking his 100th appearance for the club with a composed finish after a well-placed assist from captain Martin Ødegaard. Despite fielding a near full-strength lineup, Mikel Arteta’s side failed to preserve their advantage.
Bournemouth mounted a second-half comeback, capitalizing on Arsenal’s recurring defensive issues. Dean Huijsen leveled the match with a header from a long throw-in, and Evanilson completed the turnaround with a close-range finish following a corner. The winning goal was upheld after a VAR check for a potential handball.
The result underscores Arsenal’s vulnerability on set pieces, with nearly half of their goals conceded this season stemming from such situations—the highest rate in the Premier League. Goalkeeper David Raya drew criticism for his handling of the second goal, adding to concerns over his recent performances.
Arteta’s decision to start key players including Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Ødegaard has raised eyebrows, given the limited stakes in the league and the looming European showdown. In contrast, PSG rotated their squad in domestic competition to ensure freshness for the midweek clash.
The win marks Bournemouth’s first-ever league double over Arsenal and lifts them to eighth place in the table, maintaining their push for European qualification.
