Arsenal’s hopes of building momentum before their crucial Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain in midweek were hit as Bournemouth came from behind to win at Emirates Stadium and boost their own European ambitions.
The Gunners head to France on Wednesday looking to overturn a 1-0 loss in the first leg and reach the final of Europe’s premier club competition.
Mikel Arteta resisted the opportunity to rest his key players for the game but despite naming a strong Arsenal side against the Cherries, they were undone by a second-half fightback by the visitors.
Declan Rice had marked his 100th appearance for the Gunners with the opener in the first half, rounding Kepa in the Bournemouth goal before firing in.
But the visitors were always in the game and, after missing some decent chances in the first half, they turned the game on its head after the break.
First, Dean Huijsen equalised in the 67th minute when he headed in from Antoine Semenyo’s long throw.
The visitors then took the lead eight minutes later as Evanilson bundled in from a corner to seal a first-ever win at the Emirates for Bournemouth.
Arsenal remain second despite the loss but third-placed Manchester City are just three points behind.
Meanwhile, the win for Bournemouth boosted their hopes of securing European football next season as they move up to eighth.