Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal: Cherries punish 10-man Gunners after William Saliba's first-half sending off
William Saliba received a red card in the first half, which contributed to Bournemouth's 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium, marking the Gunners' first loss of the season.
Saliba received a yellow card for a last-man foul on Evanilson around the center circle after Leandro Trossard made a bad pass. However, after a VAR review, referee Robert Jones reversed his call and issued a red card instead. This marked the third time this season that Arsenal had to play with only 10 players.
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Bournemouth was proving to be quite a challenge for Mikel Arteta's team, which was missing the injured Bukayo Saka. They managed to find the net in the 70th minute, thanks to a smartly executed corner kick that set up substitute Ryan Christie to deliver a powerful shot into the goal.
Bournemouth: Kepa (7), Araujo (7), Senesi (8), Zabarnyi (7), Kerkez (8), Scott (7), Cook (7), Ouattara (7), Semenyo (7), Tavernier (7), Evanilson (7). The players had the following performances: Kepa, Araujo, Zabarnyi, Scott, Cook, Ouattara, Semenyo, Tavernier, and Evanilson all received a rating of 7, indicating solid performances. Meanwhile, Senesi and Kerkez stood out with impressive scores of 8, showcasing their exceptional contributions to the team.
Substitutes: Smith (7), Sinisterra (7), Kluivert (7), Christie (8), Unal (6).
Arsenal's player ratings are as follows: Raya received a score of 5, White also scored 5, Saliba was rated at 5, Gabriel got a 6, and Calafiori matched with a 6 as well. Rice earned a 7, while Partey and Merino both received a score of 7. Sterling was given a 5, Trossard also got a 5, and Havertz was rated at 6.
Substitutes: Kiwior (6), Martinelli (5), Jesus (6), Nwaneri (6).
Player of the Match: Ryan Christie
Arsenal's substitute, Gabriel Martinelli, had a fantastic opportunity to give his team the lead just moments before but ended up shooting straight at Kepa Arrizabalaga. This chance came after the Bournemouth goalkeeper mistakenly handed the ball over to Mikel Merino, who was making his first start, right outside the penalty area.
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The evening for the visitors quickly took a turn for the worse when Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert, who had come off the bench, confidently scored a penalty after David Raya fouled Evanilson.
Arsenal's loss marks their first away defeat in the Premier League this year, preventing them from taking the top spot in the league, overtaking Liverpool. They will be playing against Liverpool next Sunday, but will have to do so without the suspended Saliba, and the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
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Bournemouth, on the other hand, is celebrating a well-deserved win, marking their first triumph over a top-six team since Andoni Iraola took charge. This victory has propelled them into the upper half of the league standings.
William Saliba received a red card, adding to the dismissals of Leandro Trossard during the match against Manchester City and Declan Rice in the game against Brighton. No other team in the Premier League has had more than two players sent off this season.
Saliba is typically a composed presence at the center of Arsenal's defense. Throughout his professional career, he had never been shown a red card until now. However, there seemed to be a touch of anxiety in his choice to pull down Evanilson after Trossard's misguided pass.
It looked like he had escaped punishment when the referee pulled out a yellow card, deciding that the distance from the goal was too far for a red card. Although the VAR decision was hard for the away fans to accept, Saliba didn’t seem to argue much about it.
He realized he had made a mistake, and with Arsenal suffering their first defeat of the season, they risk falling four points behind Liverpool and three behind Manchester City, who both have matches on Sunday. Now, they are staring down the challenge of facing the league leaders at the Emirates Stadium next weekend without their key defender.
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Arteta: Two Crucial Mistakes Cost Us
In a recent press briefing, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated:
"We're clearly feeling let down by the outcome and disheartened knowing we have to go through it all again. This time was even tougher than the last two challenges we encountered this season."
Competing for 65 or 68 minutes with only 10 players at this level is an incredibly daunting challenge. It's a recipe for disaster, making it tough to secure any points. I can’t criticize the team's effort or their dedication; they’ve shown great intelligence in how they approached the game under these circumstances.
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A crucial moment occurred when the score was still tied at 0-0, and we had a great chance with just one defender to beat and the goalkeeper to beat. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the back of the net, and right after that, the other team took their chance and scored. We need to take responsibility for that.
"Football is a game where mistakes happen. Unfortunately, we made two significant errors tonight that ultimately cost us the match."
Regarding whether Arsenal intends to contest Saliba's red card: "That ruling has already been revised, and it won't be overturned again. The decision is final."
"We need to acknowledge our feelings, let go, and hold onto the hurt we’re experiencing right now from Tuesday’s match against Shakhtar Donetsk."
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Was Martinelli's Miss A Turning Point?
Arteta lamented Martinelli's missed opportunity just before Bournemouth scored, calling it the most significant chance of the match. Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott shared his thoughts on Sky Sports, stating, "In my opinion, he's giving the goalkeeper a clear indication of his direction right from the start. He reveals his intentions too early."
Certainly, it’s an impressive save, but remember, this is Arsenal—they aim to clinch the title. This is a pivotal moment, not just for the team, but also for Martinelli personally.
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There's no need to complicate things. I've noticed that sometimes, when Martinelli finds himself with extra time on the ball, he tends to overanalyze the situation rather than just acting on instinct.
"I believe that's likely why he's experiencing some ups and downs with his current goal-scoring performance."
Iraola: Patience Brings Us Success
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola:
"It was crucial for us to bounce back after our recent defeat to Leicester. We needed to regroup and perform well."
"We got off to a solid start today. After the red card, things became a bit complicated since they remained dangerous during set pieces and free kicks. However, we stayed patient and finished the match strongly."
Regarding the smart corner play that led to the opening goal: "Their height gives them an edge during set pieces, so we had to come up with a different strategy to make an impact. It worked out well today, and it was crucial."
Redknapp: A Defining Victory For Iraola
Jamie Redknapp from Sky Sports:
I was really impressed by Bournemouth today. They created a lot of challenges for their opponents. Their high energy level earned them that success, and they certainly made Arsenal feel uneasy.
"Let's not dwell too much on the 10 versus 11 or the 11 versus 11 situations; what stood out was Bournemouth's impressive performance. They created challenges and consistently put pressure on their opponents. They earned their victory today."
Iraola has accomplished a lot, from developing the players to establishing a distinct style of play. However, it's essential to secure those impressive victories that truly make an impact.
"It's beneficial not only for the team but also for you personally. I really enjoy watching how the team performs; their energy on the field is truly delightful."
"They move effectively both with and without the ball. This team is a joy to watch, showcasing an exciting style and a touch of magic, especially with players like Semenyo on the field."
