WILLIAM SALIBA'S controversial red card sent Arsenal tumbling to a shock Prem loss.
2024/2025 Premier League
2-0
Match Report
Saliba went for a professional foul on the half-hour, before Ryan Christie's brilliant 71st-minute finish and Justin Kluivert's cool penalty clinched Bournemouth's win.
Arsenal were seeking their 2,000th win in the top flight - a total second only to Liverpool.
But after a tight start that looked unlikely as Saliba picked up a controversial first-ever sending-off - mainly thanks to Leandro Trossard's poor pass helping to put Evanilson in down the middle.
The centre-back brought the Brazilian down near the centre circle as the Bournemouth attacker threatened to burst completely clear.
And ref Rob Jones sent him off after VAR asked him to look at the pitchside monitor.
Antoine Semenyo went close for the Cherries, but it appeared the Gunners were largely looking comfortable.
Indeed, Arsenal were still having plenty of possession - only for the Cherries to strike twice in five minutes.
First Bournemouth gave the Gunners a taste of their own set-piece medicine.
Lewis Cook rifled a low corner just inside the box, Kluivert dummied it and Christie thumped a sidefooter high past rooted Arsenal keeper David Raya.
And five minutes later Kluivert's cool penalty made it safe for Bournemouth.
Jakob Kiwior underhit a backpass, leading to Raya upending Evanilson.
VAR ruled Raya should NOT be sent off, but Kluivert promptly sent him the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' Bournemouth's free kick cleared by Calafiori
11' Ben White's attempt blocked by defender
16' Raya almost mistakes, Bournemouth's shot wide out
22' Sterling's right footed shot in the box just wide
26' Thomas tackled down after dribbling the ball
30' Red Card! William Saliba sent off
35' Merino's shot in the box blocked by defender
36' Sterling off, Kiwior on
42' Semenyo's attempt saved by Raya & Tavernier's shot wide out
46' Thomas Partey's shot outside the box wide out
46' Adam Smith on, Julian Araujo on
47' HUGE CHANCE MISSED! Semenyo's shot in the box wide out
58' Rice stepped by Semenyo but no foul
63' Yellow Card! Antoine Semenyo booked
64' Raya mistakes again as he failed to clear the ball
65' Trossard off, Martinelli on
69' CLOSE! Martinelli's shot saved by Keeper despite Kepa mistakes
70' Ryan Christie smashes following a clever corner routine! Bournemouth 1-0 Arsenal
79' Bournemouth double the lead as Kluivert nets penalty! Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal
81' Match Event for Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Line-ups
Bournemouth XI: Kepa, Lewis Cook, Marcus Tavernier, Marcos Senesi, Evanilson, Antoine Semenyo, Julián Araujo, Ilya Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez, Alex Scott, Dango Ouattara
Subs: Smith, Ryan Christie, E.Ünal, Brooks, Adams, Travers, Kluivert, Luis Sinisterra, Dean Huijsen
Arsenal XI: Trossard, Sterling, Partey, David Raya, Merino, Rice, Gabriel, Havertz, Ben White, William Saliba, Calafiori
Subs: Jorginho, Zinchenko, Jesus, Martinelli, Jakub Kiwior, Tommy Setford, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ismeal Kabia