For Arsenal’s longsuffering supporters, the emotional strain is reaching unbearable levels. They could only watch in stunned disbelief as Alex Scott’s goal 16 minutes from time condemned the Premier League leaders to a defeat they must fear will prove to be extremely significant.
While Arsenal still lead Manchester City by nine points, a defeat at the Etihad next Sunday could give City an opportunity to draw level on points if they beat Chelsea tomorrow and then win their game in hand against Crystal Palace. Having set the pace since the start of October, that is the nightmare scenario Mikel Arteta and his team must now come to terms with.
Bournemouth, who have now gone 12 matches unbeaten, were excellent value for their second victory in succession here after Eli Kroupi Junior gave them an early lead. Viktor Gyökeres equalised from the spot, but there was a worrying lack of intensity from Arsenal throughout as the visitors made them pay dearly.
Bournemouth arrived determined to play the role of party poopers as Kroupi was deployed up front alongside Evanilson in a bold move from Andoni Iraola. The demands of a relentless schedule have tested Arsenal’s deep squad and the absence of Bukayo Saka for a fourth match in succession will be a major concern considering his importance to this team. Martin Ødegaard, the captain, was also missing with a knee problem so Kai Havertz stepped into the creative breach, while Myles Lewis-Skelly was handed his second Premier League start of the season at left-back in place of Riccardo Calafiori.
