REISS NELSON scored in the 97th-minute as Arsenal fought back to beat Bournemouth 3-2!
The Gunners recovered from being 2-0 down and conceded after just 10 seconds as they were caught napping straight from the kick-off.
Before super-sub Nelson fired in a rocket deep in injury time to maintain Arsenals five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
- Result: Arsenal 3 Bournemouth 2
- Arsenal team: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Vieira, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.
- Bournemouth team: Neto, Smith, Mepham, Stephans, Senesi, Zemura, Ouattara, Rothwell, Billing, Semenyo, Solanke.
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That’s all from London
Arsenal produced a fantastic Premier League comeback to beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Emirates.
The Cherries opened the scoring after just nine seconds when Dango Ouattara delivered a low cross from the right and found Philip Billing who hit the back of the net after Dominic Solanke cleverly let the ball through to him.
Gary O’Neil’s men doubled their lead on 57 minutes with Jack Rothwell’s fantastic corner-kick finding an unmarked Marcos Senesi, who headed it past Aaron Ramsdale.
But the Gunners fought back and got one in just five minutes later when Emile Smith Rowe’s header set Thomas Partey up in front of Neto.
The North Londoners equalised in the 70th minute with the incoming Reiss Nelson setting fellow substitute Ben White, who finished from close range.
And Nelson completed a dream match in the final play of the game as his thunderous left-footed shot from the edge of the area sealed the win for the hosts in the seventh minute of stoppage time
Reiss Nelson future
Arsenal ace Reiss Nelson put together his best ever match with the club as he produced an assist and scored the winner.
Nelson’s contract with the Gunners runs out in June and his future is uncertain.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, the winger’s future will be decided soon.
And the 23-year-old would ” love” to stay at the Emirates
Gary O’Neil reacts
Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil described Arsenal as the “best team in the league” after their comeback win at the Emirates.
The Cherries’ boss added that he is proud of his players for the fight they put together against the Premier League leaders.
O’Neil said: “They’re the best team in the league.
“I don’t think many people would have expected us to come here and trouble Arsenal but we did and we came up just short”
Arsenal’s comeback win
Arsenal haven’t completed a comeback win like today’s for 11 years!
The Gunners won a Premier League game in which they trailed by two goals for the first time since February 2012 against Tottenham.
The North Londoners went on to win 5-2 against rivals Spurs that day.
Arsenal had gone winless in 65 such games prior to today’s game at the Emirates
Mikel Arteta reacts
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described his team’s comeback as the “best” win.
Arteta said: “[I feel] Incredibly happy. That was just mad. Those feelings of happiness, joy and a result we fully deserved to get.
“I’m really proud of the players. I had a feeling we would come back as the players were taking the initiative.
“Now it’s the best [win]. It’s because of the emotion and sharing those moments with your crowd and your players”
Billing makes history
Bournemouth ace Philip Billing made history with his opener against Arsenal.
Billing scored after just nine seconds and netted the second fastest goal in Premier League history.
Southampton hero Shane Long still holds the record after his goal against Watford within seven seconds.
More below:
Zinchenko owns left side
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko absolutely dominated the left side against Bournemouth.
As the heat map shows below, Zinchenko was absolutely lethal in attack.
The left-back was also effective when switching to defence.
More below:
Updated Premier League table
Arsenal maintained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Manchester City, who beat Newcastle earlier, were hoping to cut the deficit down to two or three points while watching Bournemouth giving Mikel Arteta’s men a hard time.
But Reiss Nelson’s winner kept the Cherries in the relegation zone.
Gary O’Neil’s men are second from last, but still just one point away from safety.
More below:
Arsenal vs Bournemouth stats
Arsenal dominated a staggering 81 per cent of possession against Bournemouth.
The Gunners registered a whopping total of 30 shots, but only nine of them were on target.
The Cherries, on the other hand, produced four shots, all of which were on target,
More below:
FT: Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal produced a fantastic Premier League comeback to beat Bournemouth at the Emirates.
The Cherries opened the scoring after just nine seconds when Dango Ouattara delivered a low cross from the right and found Philip Billing who hit the back of the net after Dominic Solanke cleverly let the ball through.
Gary O’Neil’s men doubled their lead on 57 minutes with Jack Rothwell’s fantastic corner-kick finding Marcos Senesi, who headed it past Aaron Ramsdale.
But the Gunners fought back and got one in just five minutes later when Emile Smith Rowe’s header set Thomas Partey up from close distance.
The North Londoners equalised in the 70th minute with the incoming Reiss Nelson setting fellow sub Ben White, who finished from close range.
And Nelson completed a dream match in the final play of the match as his thunderous left-footed shot from the edge of the area sealed the win for the hosts in the seventh minute of stoppage time
FT: Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth
Peep!
That’s full-time in London!!!
90+8 Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth
What a cracking finisher by Nelson, who finally gets his Arsenal moment!
The winger picks the ball up at the edge of the area after a failed corner-kick.
The Arsenal academy graduate fires a thunderous left-footed shot to seal a fantastic comeback!
90+8 Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth
Goal!
Arsenal win it with Nelson!!!
90+7 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Chance!
Arsenal star Zinchenko shoots but it is deflected and earns a corner.
That will be the last attack of the match
90+5 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Chance
Arsenal ace Nelson shoots from the edge of the box and Neto picks it up with ease.
The Bournemouth keeper is now taking his time…
90+4 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal have slowed down a bit and Bournemouth are taking their time.
But the Gunners are still pushing on
90+2 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Bournemouth are looking to waste some time with Neto their top player in that department.
Smith is now down but gets right back up to his feet
90 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Six more minutes of added time to go.
Arteta wanted seven, but oh well…
88 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Chance
Another shot by Arsenal captain Odegaard goes wide, the playmaker has missed quite a few shots…
86 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Yellow card
Bournemouth ace Mepham is booked for a rough tackle on Matinelli.
Arsenal want more…
84 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Substitution
Arsenal boss Arteta is pushing for victory with the experienced Xhaka replacing Vieira
82 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Substitution
Some more fresh legs for Bournemouth as O’Neil brings on Christie, who replaces Ouattara
81 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Hang on, VAR is checking for a potential penalty for Arsenal…
Another potential handball, this time from Billing, but VAR waives it off!
80 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal are constantly protesting for a hand-ball inside the Bournemouth area.
But the referee and VAR aren’t convinced – 10 exciting minutes to go
78 Arsenal 2-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal boss Arteta took Smith Rowe out, shortly after he was brought in as a substitute himself…
And the playmaker, who has dealt with injury this season, wasn’t happy
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk