Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth: Reiss Nelson will get 97th-minute winner after guests rating inside 10 seconds

Reiss Nelson scored a shocking 97th-minute winner as Premier League leaders Arsenal got here from two objectives all the way down to beat Bournemouth.

However Arsenal pulled degree with objectives by Thomas Partey and Ben White, earlier than Nelson struck.

The winger, making his first look since 12 November, slammed in from 25 yards within the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Arsenal’s Premier League lead is restored to 5 factors, after they’d appeared sure to cede floor to Manchester City, winners over Newcastle within the early kick-off.

Bournemouth, in the meantime, stay within the relegation zone after threatening a serious upset – and starting at high pace.

Billing’s purpose was the second-quickest in Premier League historical past – solely Shane Long, who scored for Southampton after 7.69 seconds at Watford in April 2019, has netted quicker.

Nelson colossal as Arsenal snatch victory

Nelson had performed simply 64 minutes of Premier League soccer this season – having struggled with thigh issues – earlier than being thrown on as a second-half substitute by Mikel Arteta right here.

Yet the homegrown expertise was the sudden hero, gathering a half-cleared nook exterior the world and bending an excellent strike past Bournemouth keeper Neto.

The outpouring of emotion that adopted was immense; the Arsenal bench cleared as just about each participant and member of employees rushed to rejoice with the match-winner.

Nelson had earlier, with virtually his first Premier League contact of 2023, supplied the help for White to equalise along with his first Arsenal purpose.

White, introduced on as a half-time substitute after Takehiro Tomiyasu endured a torrid 45 minutes, struck Nelson’s deep cross first time and his shot was palmed away from behind the road by Neto, with referee Christopher Kavanagh giving it through goalline expertise.

What is outstanding is that Nelson, had the whole lot gone to plan for Arsenal, would have been impossible to achieve the pitch. He changed Emile Smith Rowe, himself a sub for Leandro Trossard, who suffered a primary half harm.

However it’s with sudden twists, outstanding moments and unbelievable objectives that titles are sometimes received.

Billing’s rocket begin in useless for Cherries

Arteta would have needed his facet to make a quick begin with the intention to restore their benefit over City. He bought the precise reverse.

From the kick-off, Joe Rothwell fed a go broad to Antoine Semenyo, whose low ball throughout the field was dummied by Dominic Solanke and missed by Gabriel, who allowed it beneath his studs. Billing escaped William Saliba’s lax marking, and completed below Aaron Ramsdale.

With the shape which earned Gary O’Neil the everlasting supervisor’s seat a distant reminiscence, and now only one win of their final 12 video games, a win – or perhaps a level – would have supplied an actual enhance for Bournemouth of their bid to flee relegation.

However, like Arsenal, their defence is their weak point. Nelson’s strike was the thirty fifth purpose they’ve conceded in away Premier League matches this season – a division excessive.

The better injury nonetheless might be psychological, with gamers, followers and O’Neil all left in despair by the late winner.

For a very long time, Bournemouth defended their very early lead with stubbornness and co-ordination, marshalled properly by goalkeeper-captain Neto, who made a terrific double save from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka simply minutes after Billing’s opener.

Bournemouth have been completely happy to assault on the break, and may have gone two forward earlier than half-time, Ramsdale making an excellent spreading save to disclaim Dango Ouattara because the guests countered from an Arsenal nook.

However they dropped deeper as the sport progressed – till the decisive blow within the remaining seconds.

Partey will get the late social gathering began

While Arsenal proceed to steer the pack of their pursuit of a primary Premier League title in 19 years, in addition they have clear defensive frailties – they now have simply three clear sheets of their previous 18 dwelling league video games.

Arteta might have thought the return of Partey to central midfield, his first begin in three weeks, would have given a defensive enhance. But the Ghanaian, enjoying in entrance of his nationwide group supervisor Chris Hughton, was at fault for the Bournemouth second.

Partey misplaced his man Senesi from a 57th-minute nook, permitting the Italian defender a free near-post header previous Ramsdale.

He began to make amends with Arsenal’s first purpose, volleying dwelling from six yards – earlier than Nelson took over.

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