The day the Gunners fell silent

What a horror night the Gunners' fanbase from start to end!

Ten-man Arsenal deservedly lost to Bournemouth 2-0 on Saturday night, conceding two late goals while being totally helpless and unable to fight back on the other end.

A disappointing and shy first-half performance didn't promise much, but Wiliam Saliba's red card around the 30th-minute mark was when things went straight downhill for Mikel Arteta's side.

At first, the French defender was only booked, but after the VAR review, he was shown a straight (and deserved) red as the last man in defence.

The Spaniards decided to sacrifice Raheem Sterling, replacing him with Kiwior, which proved to be a massive mistake in hindsight.

At first, the French defender was only booked, but after the VAR review, he was shown a straight (and deserved) red as the last man in defence.

The Spaniards decided to sacrifice Raheem Sterling, replacing him with Jakub Kiwior, which proved to be a massive mistake in hindsight.

Andoni Iraola and his team were patient, just waiting for Arsenal to slip for only the second time in 2024. The Gunners had been invincible since April and the defeat to Aston Villa.

Alas, this night was just anything but theirs. The visitors made tens of unbelievable mistakes, from tonight's woeful David Raya to second-half sub Gabriel Martinelli.

Nowhere near their previous form and game plan, Arsenal were just too weak to attack, let alone score at Vitality. Still, who knows what could have happened if only Martinelli made the most of the incredible, clear-cut chance Mikel Merino launched him into following Kepa Arrizabalaga's howler.

And almost instantly - the punishment was served cold!

The Gunners were killed by their own secret weapon, a perfectly executed set-piece. A corner from the left was whipped into the near post area, and Justin Kluivert - Iraola's super sub - flicked it around smoothly for Christie, who sent it high into the top corner for a brilliant finish. That was the move straight from the training ground, similar to what we saw from Arsenal on many occasions.

Only nine minutes later, Raya took down the rival's striker and the hosts were rewarded with a deserved penalty, which Kluivert converted successfully for a huge upset.

That's not the way to win the Premier League title after 20 years, and Arteta is surely aware of that.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 8

Saturday

Tottenham - West Ham 4-1 (1-1)

/Kulusevski 36, Bissouma 52, Todibo 55 og, Son 60 - Kudus 18/

Fulham - Aston Villa 1-3 (1-1)

/Jimenez 5 - Rogers 9, Watkins 58, Diop 69 og/

Ipswich - Everton 0-2 (0-2)

/Ndiaye 18, Keane 40/

Man.Utd. - Brentford 2-1 (0-1)

/Garnacho 46, Hojlund 62 - Pinnock 45+5/

Newcastle - Brighton 0-1 (0-1)

/Welbeck 35/

Southampton - Leicester 2-3 (2-0)

/Archer 8, Aribo 28 - Buonanote 64, Vardy 73 pen, Ayew 90+7/

Bournemouth - Arsenal 2-0 (0-0)

/Christie 70, Kluivert 79 pen/

Sunday

16:00: (8.00) Wolverhampton (5.30) Man.City (1.35)

18:30: (1.70) Liverpool (4.10) Chelsea (5.20)

Monday

22:00: (2.30) Nott.Forest (3.30) Crystal Palace (3.20)

***odds are subject to change***