William Saliba was shown a first-half red card as Bournemouth stormed to a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium to condemn the Gunners to their first defeat of the season.
Saliba was initially booked for his last-man foul on Evanilson near the centre circle following Leandro Trossard’s poor pass, but referee Robert Jones changed his decision to a red following a VAR check as the Gunners were reduced to 10 men for the third time this season.
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Was the decision to send off William Saliba correct?
Bournemouth were already making life difficult for Mikel Arteta’s side, who were without the injured Bukayo Saka, and finally made the breakthrough in the 70th minute when a clever corner routine allowed substitute Ryan Christie to slam home an emphatic finish.
Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli had missed a golden chance to put Arsenal in front moments earlier, shooting too close to Kepa Arrizabalaga after the Bournemouth goalkeeper gifted possession to full debutant Mikel Merino just outside his own box.
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Ryan Christie fired Bournemouth ahead against Arsenal
And the visitors’ evening soon went from bad to worse as Justin Kluivert, another Bournemouth substitute, coolly converted from the penalty spot after David Raya had brought down Evanilson.
The defeat, Arsenal’s first in a Premier League away game since the turn of the year, means they missed the chance to go top of the table above leaders Liverpool, who they will face without the suspended Saliba, live on Sky Sports next Sunday.
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Justin Kluivert converted the second from the spot
Bournemouth, meanwhile, can celebrate a deserved victory, their first against a top-six side under Andoni Iraola, which takes them into the top half of the table.
Saliba’s panic punished
Saliba is usually an unflappable figure in the heart of Arsenal’s defence. He had never previously been sent off in his senior career. But there was more than a hint of panic about his decision to tug down Evanilson following Trossard’s unhelpful pass.
Saliba was sent off on the half-hour mark
It seemed he had got away with it when the yellow card emerged from Jones’ pocket, the referee deeming the distance from goal to be too great to award a red. But while the VAR intervention was tough to take for the visiting fans, Saliba offered little complaint.
He knew he had erred and Arsenal, beaten for the first time this season and at risk of slipping four points behind Liverpool and three behind Manchester City, both of whom play on Sunday, now face the prospect of going up against the leaders without their most important defender at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.
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Declan Rice reacted to Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth and said that they can’t keep making mistakes
Martinelli’s miss a turning point
Arteta rued Martinelli’s miss shortly before Bournemouth’s opener, describing it as the biggest chance of the game. Former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott said on Sky Sports: “For me, he gives the goalkeeper a very clear idea of which way he’s going to go straight away. He opens up his body too soon.
“Of course, it’s a great save, but look, this is Arsenal, they want to win the league. It’s a massive moment for not just Arsenal, but for Martinelli himself.
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Kepa denied Gabriel Martinelli an opener
“You don’t have to overthink it. I think at times Martinelli, when he has a bit more time on the ball, he actually overthinks it instead of actually doing something instinctive.
“And I think that’s probably what he’s down for at times with his goal scoring record at the moment.”
Redknapp: Statement win for Iraola
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:
“I was so impressed with Bournemouth today. They make it so difficult for teams. They earned that right today with the intensity. They made Arsenal feel uncomfortable.
“Almost forget the 10 vs 11, the 11 vs 11, that was when Bournemouth were very good. They forced issues, they forced problems. They deserve their result today.
Adam Smith and Martinelli battle for the ball
“Iraola has produced so many good things, the players, the style of football. But you need those blue-chip wins, the ones that make a real statement.
“Not just for the team, but also for yourself. And I love the way the team’s playing. They’re a joy to watch because you see the energy they play with.
“They run without the ball, they run with the ball. They’re just a really good side to watch, with a bit of flair and a bit of stardust, with the likes of Semenyo.”
