Bournemouth secured their first-ever victory at Arsenal, coming from behind to win 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday. Evanilson’s scrappy goal proved to be the difference, giving the Cherries all three points.
Arsenal took the lead in the 34th minute when Declan Rice capitalized on Martin Ødegaard’s reverse pass, rounding goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and finishing neatly on his 100th appearance for the Gunners.
Despite having chances to double their advantage, including a curling effort from Bukayo Saka that narrowly missed, Arsenal were pegged back when Bournemouth equalized in the 67th minute.
Dean Huijsen headed home a long throw from substitute Antoine Semenyo, bringing the visitors level.
Eight minutes later, Evanilson put Bournemouth ahead when he bundled the ball into the net from a corner.
The goal was initially reviewed by VAR, but there was no conclusive evidence that the ball had hit his hand, allowing the goal to stand.
“We got the goal and felt like we controlled pretty much everything,” said Arsenal captain Ødegaard to Sky Sports. “But they score and we lose control of the game … the second half is not acceptable.”
Arsenal failed to create another meaningful opportunity, and the loss marked another setback in their season, with 21 points dropped from winning positions.
Their attention now turns to overturning a 1-0 deficit in their Champions League semifinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
For Bournemouth, this win was significant as it marked their first-ever double over Arsenal, lifting them to eighth in the table with 53 points from 35 matches.
With a tough run-in ahead, including a home game against Aston Villa and a trip to Manchester City, Evanilson remains optimistic about their chances of qualifying for Europe.
“Since I arrived, that was the project that was presented to me,” he said. “I always believed that we have the quality to fight for these positions.”
Arsenal remain second in the Premier League with 67 points, three ahead of third-placed Manchester City.
They need six points from their final three matches to secure a top-five finish and return to the Champions League next season.
With Liverpool already crowned champions, Arsenal’s only remaining shot at silverware is the Champions League. Despite the looming semifinal clash, manager Mikel Arteta named a near full-strength side for this match.
“They have earned the luxury to do that,” Arteta said about PSG’s decision to rotate heavily in their 2-1 loss at Strasbourg. “We haven’t because we still have a lot to do in the Premier League, but we have four days and I’m sure we will be fully recovered.”
Rice was Arsenal’s main threat in the first half, creating several chances, including two shots that went wide, and a header that was blocked by Illia Zabarnyi.
Bournemouth also created opportunities, with Evanilson heading over a beautiful cross from Miloz Kerkez in the 26th minute.
After the break, Saka almost doubled Arsenal’s lead with a powerful shot that narrowly missed, but Bournemouth capitalized with two quick goals. Semenyo’s throw into the box led to Huijsen’s header to make it 1-1, before Evanilson’s strike sealed the win for the visitors.
The second goal appeared to deflate Arsenal, and as the match wore on, the home fans began to head for the exits, their minds already focused on Wednesday’s crucial Champions League fixture in Paris.
