Wilson inspires Bournemouth to comeback win against Arsenal

Arsenal went into the game without star man Alexis Sanchez, who was left out of the squad amid speculation of an impending move.

The ‘Gunners’ could have done with the Chilean in a first half of few chances.

Adam Smith fizzed an effort narrowly wide of the post after cutting in from the right with just four minutes gone, whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles clipped the crossbar at the other end after turning two defenders inside out.

The away side had all the possession, but struggled to carve out quality openings.

A comparatively frantic spell towards the end of the first half saw almost all the action.

Danny Welbeck had the game’s first gilt-edged chance as he was put in by Lacazette but he opted to stay on his feet despite being fouled by Simon Francis and saw his effort kept out by Asmir Begovic.

From the resulting corner Steve Cook came close to flicking the ball into his own net under pressure from Shkodran Mustafi, before the German headed over himself from another just seconds later.

Bournemouth could have had a penalty at the other end as a corner appeared to strike Alex Iwobi on the hand but Arsenal were given a reprieve and the two sides went in level.

- Goal-filled second period - 

When the breakthrough did come with seven minutes of the second period gone it was thanks to a wonderful pass.

Iwobi’s ball for Hector Bellerin was inch-perfect, allowing the Spaniard to get in behind his marker and through on goal. The finish itself was scruffy with the ball going through Begovic but as they say, they all count the same.

However, the hosts reacted well to going behind and took the game by the scruff of the neck. With 20 minutes to go, they pulled themselves level.

Ryan Fraser crossed early from the right and Callum Wilson stole a march on his marker to get to the all first and stab a finish past the onrushing Petr Cech.

With that, Bournemouth's tails were up and just four minutes later they had the lead.

Wilson did well to ontrol Adam Smith's long ball from deep and guide it into the path of Jordon Ibe, with the former Liverpool man drilling a low effort through Cech and into the back of the net from just inside the box, with the Arsenal goalkeeper no doubt disappointed not to have done better.

 

14 January 2018

From that point on Arsenal's race was run, with the visitors never looking like getting themselves back into the game.

The result sees Arsenal fall further behind in the race for the Champions League, whilst Bournemouth move four points clear of the relegation zone and into 13th.