Arsenal came two goals down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium in one of the most thrilling matches in the Premier League this season.
The Gunners had to dig deep to get the win against a Bournemouth side that surprised the league leaders with an 11-second minute Phillip Billing goal.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the game right from the start as they tried to get matters to level terms creating chances left, right, and centre, but failed to convert any of them in the first half.
Bournemouth could have added a second in the 20th minute when Billing who now has the second quickest Premier League goal squared the ball to Dango Ouattara, but Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale pulled off a great save to deny the visitors their second.
In the second half, Arsenal came out buzzing for a leveller, but found themselves two goals down when Marcos Senesi powered home a brilliant header from a Joe Rothwell corner kick.
Arsenal kept believing and pulled one back through Thomas Partey in the 63rd minute when Bournemouth failed to clear their lines from an Arsenal corner kick. This was all manager Mikel Arteta needed to get his team believing.
Arteta introduced Riess Nelson minutes later and what a substitute he turned out to be! The Englishman set up fellow countryman and substitute Benjamin White who netted the equaliser in the 69th minute. That was White’s first goal for Arsenal since making the transfer from Brighton and Hove Albion two seasons ago.
Bournemouth tried to employ time-wasting tactics, but this only worked out to their disadvantage as the fourth official added six minutes which played to Arsenal’s favour.
The Gunners found the winner in the seventh minute of added time to put the match to bed thanks to a Nelson’s powerful left-footed shot that beat Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Neto and made its way to the back of the net.
The goal sent the Emirates Stadium in a loud roar as Arteta sprung into wild celebrations just like his players.
The result means Arsenal reclaim their five point lead over second placed Manchester City who had earlier on beaten Newcastle United 2-0.
