Arsenal’s hopes of gaining rhythm ahead of their crucial Champions League return leg with Paris St-Germain in midweek took a hit as Bournemouth came from behind to win at Emirates Stadium and boost their own hopes for European football next season.
The Gunners travel to France on Wednesday looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the first leg and reach the final of the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta decided against resting his key players for the game but despite naming a strong Arsenal side against the Cherries, they were undone by a second-half fightback by the visitors.
Declan Rice, marking his 100th appearance for the Gunners had opened the scoring in the first half, taking the ball past Kepa in the Bournemouth goal before firing in.
But the visitors were always in the game and, after missing some chances in the first half, they turned the game on its head after the break.
Young defender, Dean Huijsen equalised in the 67th minute when he headed in from Antoine Semenyo’s long throw.
The visitors then took the lead eight minutes later as Evanilson bundled in from a corner to seal a first-ever win at the Emirates for Bournemouth.
With this result, Arsenal remain second despite the loss but third-placed Manchester City are just three points behind.
Meanwhile, the win for Bournemouth boosted their hopes of securing European football next season as they move up to eighth.