Arsenal's title charge took a serious hit on Saturday when Bournemouth left the Emirates with a 2-1 win — their first defeat at home in the league all season. Junior Kroupi put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute, Viktor Gyökeres levelled from the penalty spot in the 35th, and then Alex Scott scored the winner with sixteen minutes to go. Seven games left, and the race at the top looks considerably less settled than it did a week ago.
Kroupi gives Bournemouth an early platform
Bournemouth took the lead with the sort of set-piece goal that Arsenal had been largely avoiding all season. Adrien Truffert's cross from deep found Eli Junior Kroupi arriving at the back post, and the striker turned it in from close range with minimal fuss. It was a simple goal, honestly — the kind that comes from a clean run and a decent delivery, nothing more complicated than that. The Emirates went tense. Arsenal, so used to dictating the tempo at home, were suddenly chasing the game before the first quarter was up.
Gyökeres levels from the spot
Arsenal got back level quickly enough. A foul in the area gave Gyökeres the penalty, and the Swedish striker — signed in the summer to lead Arsenal's attack — put it in the bottom corner with no drama whatsoever. The goal made it 1-1 at the break and, for a while in the second half, it looked like Arsenal were going to find a way through. Bournemouth held firm, though. They had come to the Emirates with a plan and they stuck to it.
Scott's goal ends the dream of an unbeaten home run
The winner came on 74 minutes. David Brooks played Evanilson into a pocket of space, his touch brought the ball to Alex Scott arriving at pace, and Scott finished right-footed past Raya from the edge of the area. A very good goal, taken with real composure under pressure. Scott is 22 and has been one of Bournemouth's best players this season — this was exactly the kind of moment that rewards that sort of form. The Emirates fell quiet. Arsenal had nothing left to offer in the closing stages.
Title race implications
The defeat cuts Manchester City's gap to Arsenal to six points, with City holding games in hand. Win three on the bounce and they're level. Arsenal have led this division for most of the season and remain in the driving seat, but that gap has been closing for weeks and this result will sharpen the anxiety considerably. For Bournemouth, winning at Arsenal in April while a title race is live ranks among the best away results in the club's Premier League history. Andoni Iraola's side have spent much of this season getting credit they deserved; they earned every bit of it today.
Result: Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth | Goals: Kroupi (17', BOU); Gyökeres (35' pen, ARS); Scott (74', BOU) | Venue: Emirates Stadium | Competition: Premier League, Matchday 32
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