Bournemouth Flip the Script to Shock Arsenal at the Emirates

Lucas OduorEnglish Premier LeagueYesterday

Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice of Arsenal react after Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England.

A spirited second-half comeback saw Bournemouth stun Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates, with goals from Huijsen and Evanilson cancelling out Rice’s opener as the Gunners suffer their first league defeat in over two months.

Bournemouth pulled off one of their biggest results of the season on Saturday afternoon, coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium — a win that extends their unbeaten run to five Premier League matches and propels them to eighth in the table.

Arsenal appeared to be in control for much of the first half, and when Declan Rice marked his 100th appearance for the club with a composed 34th-minute finish, the hosts looked well on course for another routine win. The midfielder latched onto Martin Ødegaard’s clever through ball, rounded Kepa, and slotted home to give Mikel Arteta’s side the lead.

But Bournemouth had already hinted at their threat. Evanilson had a golden chance seven minutes earlier — a free header from close range — but somehow blazed over. It seemed like it might not be their day, but the visitors returned from the break with renewed intent and got their reward just past the hour mark.

Manager Andoni Iraola introduced Antoine Semenyo in the 65th minute, and the substitute made an immediate impact. Less than two minutes after coming on, Semenyo launched a long throw into the Arsenal box. Dean Huijsen rose highest, punishing Rice’s lapse in defensive positioning to power a header past Raya for the equaliser.

The Cherries weren’t done. Eight minutes later, they struck again from a set-piece. Tavernier’s driven header looked to be heading just wide, but Evanilson managed to get a faint touch under pressure from Ødegaard, redirecting it past a flat-footed Raya at the near post to complete the comeback.

For Arsenal, it’s a bruising loss ahead of their decisive Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. With domestic hopes all but gone following Liverpool’s title win, the European stage is now their sole remaining frontier.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, continue their late-season resurgence. Having looked out of form in March, they’ve now gone five games unbeaten and head into a key clash with Aston Villa full of belief.