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Evanilson scores late winner as Bournemouth produce comeback to stun Arsenal

03 May 2025 23:23 (UTC +04:00)

Arsenal’s hopes of securing second-place finish in the Premier League took a huge hit following a shock 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, who claimed their first-ever league double over the Gunners, APA reports.

While Mikel Arteta’s players could be forgiven for having one eye on Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, they could ill afford to rest on their laurels with a top-five finish still to be secured.

Declan Rice was making his 100th Arsenal appearance, and had the Gunners’ first chance when he flashed an angled strike wide following some lovely link-up play involving Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli. The midfielder then shot wide again, with Martinelli the provider, as the hosts began to find their rhythm.

However, the clearest opening inside the opening 25 minutes came for the Cherries, as Evanilson powered a close-range header over the bar from Milos Kerkez’s cross.

Martinelli was causing plenty of problems down the left flank and played a brilliant ball towards Leandro Trossard, whose arched header was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But it was Rice who made the breakthrough, expertly taking Ødegaard’s through ball into stride, rounding Kepa and coolly slotting home into an empty net.

Arteta’s side looked vulnerable at the back though, and Evanilson’s long-range effort which went narrowly over the bar after David Raya was caught outside his goal, provided a timely reminder of the visitors’ threat.