Bournemouth secure win over sloppy Arsenal after early Saliba red card

William Saliba picked up Arsenal’s third red card of the Premier League campaign as Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

The Frenchman was dismissed on the half-hour mark after bringing down Evanilson who was in on goal following a wayward back-pass from Leandro Trossard.

It was not until the 70th minute when Andoni Iraola’s men made the extra man count as a smart corner routine was finished emphatically by substitute Ryan Christie.

Another sloppy back-pass had the visitors in more trouble as David Raya brought down Evanilson in the area following Jakub Kiwior’s underhit ball back to the goalkeeper.

It was another of Iraola’s substitutes on the scoresheet as Justin Kluivert coolly converted the spot kick, sending Raya the wrong way, to double The Cherries’ lead.

The result sees Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the campaign come to an end as they blew a chance to go top of the table and instead remain in third.

William Saliba

Image credit: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Bournemouth are up to 10th following their first victory over The Gunners since January 2018, ending a run of nine games without a win against the north London side.

It was a disappointing evening for Arteta’s men who, even before the dismissal of Saliba, created little in the absence of Bukayo Saka who was ruled out with a hamstring issue.

Their best chance came moments before Bournemouth’s opening goal as Kepa’s sloppy pass gifted a chance for Gabriel Martinelli but the former Chelsea goalkeeper made amends as he got down to save well.

Raya looked uncharacteristically hesitant and presented Bournemouth with their best chance of the opening period as he spilt a cross but reacted well to save Alex Scott’s rebound.

Sailba’s red card marks Arsenal’s third of the season, following Declan Rice’s second yellow at home to Brighton for kicking the ball away before Trossard was sent off in the same manner at Manchester City.

The result leaves Arsenal level on points with Man City and one point behind leaders Liverpool, who both play on Sunday.

With captain Martin Odegaard remaining sidelined with a long-term ankle injury and Saliba now suspended, Arteta will be desperate for Saka to return to fitness for the visit of Arne Slot’s Liverpool next weekend.

Bournemouth will look to build on this result and performance as they travel to Aston Villa next weekend before hosting Man City a week later.

Talking Point – Arsenal the architects of their own downfall

Saliba’s red card was Arsenal’s third of the Premier League campaign, and the three dismissals, unsurprisingly, have coincided with the three games they have dropped points.

Rice’s controversial second yellow card for kicking the ball away came in the home draw against Brighton before Trossard’s second yellow for the exact same offence came in the draw away to Manchester City – both while Arsenal were a goal up in the game.

It was the Belgian who was largely to blame for this dismissal following a sloppy back-pass that led to Saliba bringing down Evanilson. However, you could argue, given the striker’s distance from goal and the early stage of the game, the Frenchman’s decision-making was poor.

Mikel Arteta

Image credit: Getty Images

Kiwior produced Arsenal’s second loose and fatal back-pass of the day that led to the penalty to make it 2-0 and seal the win for Bournemouth.

If Arsenal are going to go one step further and claim the title this season, they cannot be making these sloppy and ill-disciplined mistakes that are costing them points. Particularly in a league containing Pep Guardiola’s Man City, where the margins for error are so tight.

Player of the Match – Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)

While his introduction only came in the 63rd minute, Kluivert’s contributions made the difference in a game that had lacked quality. It was a fabulous, deft flick-0on from a corner that set up Christie for the opener before he kept his cool in a moment of pressure to seal the win from the spot.

Player Ratings

Bournemouth: Kepa 6, Araujo 5, Zabarnyi 6, Senesi 7, Kerkez 7, Cook 8, Scott 7, Semenyo 7, Ouattara 7, Tavernier 6, Evanilson 7. Subs: Smith 6, Kluivert 8*, Christie 7, Sinisterra 5, Unal 5.

Arsenal: Raya 5, White 5, Saliba 4, Gabriel 6, Calfiori 6, Partey 5, Rice 7, Merino 5, Sterling 5, Havertz 6, Trossard 5. Subs: Kiwior 5, Nwaneri 5, Martinelli 6, Jesus 6.

Match Highlights

30′ – RED FOR SALIBA: Trossard looks to play it back first time to his defence but it turns into a ball over the top for Evanilson. As the striker looks set to run in on goal, he is hauled to the ground by Saliba. Rob Jones initially gives a yellow card but following a VAR check gives the red.

70′ – GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 ARSENAL (CHRISTIE): Cook plays a low corner from the left behind the pack of players to Kluivert on the edge of the six-yard box. He flicks one round the corner back for Christie on the penalty spot and he sweeps home with his left foot into the top left corner.

77′ – PENALTY FOR BOURNEMOUTH: Kiwior makes a mess of his back-pass this time as Evanilson is played in on goal by the Arsenal man. He looks to skip around Raya but is brought down and the spot kick is given.

79′ – GOAL! BOURNEMOUTH 2-0 ARSENAL (KLUIVERT): It’s Justin Kluivert who steps up for the penalty and he slots it into the bottom-right corner sending Raya the other way.

Key Stats

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