Arsenal FC endured a frustrating setback in their title pursuit on Saturday, falling 2-1 at home to AFC Bournemouth in a result that could have major implications for the Premier League race.
The match at the Emirates Stadium started on a tense note, but it was the visitors who struck first. Junior Kroupi silenced the home crowd with an early goal, putting Bournemouth ahead and leaving Arsenal chasing the game.
The Gunners responded before halftime, showing resilience as they fought back into the contest. Viktor Gyökeres calmly converted a penalty to level the score, giving the home side hope heading into the second half.
Despite early attacking changes in the second half by manager Mikel Arteta, the Gunners found it difficult to break down Andoni Iraola’s well-drilled side, who held firm and secured a crucial victory.
The result dents Arsenal’s title charge and opens the door wider for Manchester City as the Premier League season edges toward a dramatic finish.
Bournemouth were back in front in the 74th minute after a fluid move finished off by Alex Scott, who rifled the ball past David Raya.
Arsenal pushed for a leveller but slumped to just their second home defeat in the league this season.
With six games to go, Arsenal, chasing their first Premier League title since 2004, are nine points clear of second-placed City.
But Guardiola’s men can close to within three points of the top if they beat Chelsea on Sunday and overcome the Gunners in an Etihad summit meeting next week.
Arsenal came into the match lifted by their last-gasp 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon in midweek.
But they were sluggish against a bright Bournemouth team who played the more fluid football in the opening stages.
Iraola’s team took a deserved lead in the 17th minute when Kroupi tapped in from close range after the ball fell to him following a wicked lopping deflection off William Saliba.
The goal followed a well-worked move, with Bournemouth captain Ryan Christie playing a sweetly measured ball into the path of Adrien Truffert, whose cross was deflected into his path by Saliba.
Kroupi, 19, is the first teenager to score 10 goals in his debut Premier League season since Robbie Keane for Coventry City in 1999/2000.
Moments later Kai Havertz squandered a clear chance to level, putting a header over the bar and the crowd became increasingly edgy as the home side struggled to settle.
But Arsenal were level in the 35th minute when Gyokeres blasted home from the penalty spot after the ball struck Christie’s outstretched hand.
Arteta, who has been criticised for being over-cautious this season, made three attacking changes early in the second half, bringing on Eberechi Eze, 16-year-old Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard for Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
But the changes failed to lift the Gunners, who looked short of attacking ideas beyond long balls to Gyokeres, who fired wide in added time when well placed.
Just weeks ago Arsenal were on track for a unique quadruple before defeat to City in the League Cup final and a shock loss to Southampton in the FA Cup.
They remain favourites for the Premier League title but City, with two games in hand, will travel to Stamford Bridge with renewed hope.
