Arsenal lose to a goal from Evanilson and see City threaten their second place

Arsenal suffered a major setback in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, falling 1-2 at home to Bournemouth in a result that throws their second-place finish into doubt and raises further concern ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

After a 1-0 defeat to PSG earlier in the week at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s men were looking to bounce back quickly and regain momentum before Wednesday’s all-or-nothing clash in Paris. For a while, it looked like they were on track, but Bournemouth had other plans and stunned the North London crowd with a second-half comeback led by Spanish defender Dean Huijsen and Brazilian forward Evanilson.

The Gunners began brightly and took the lead in the 34th minute through Declan Rice. After a slick move down the right flank involving Bukayo Saka and Ben White, the ball was cut back across the box, and Rice calmly placed it into the bottom corner. The goal seemed to settle the nerves and put Arsenal on course for a routine win against a Bournemouth side fighting for a European place.

But Bournemouth didn’t fold. Instead, they grew into the game and slowly began to unsettle Arsenal’s midfield. The second half started with more aggression and pressing from the visitors, and Arsenal began to look increasingly disorganised. In the 67th minute, Dean Huijsen rose highest during a corner and powered a header past Aaron Ramsdale, bringing Bournemouth level.

Eight minutes later, came the moment that turned the match on its head. Philip Billing intercepted a poor clearance and threaded a precise through ball behind Arsenal’s backline. Evanilson latched onto it, took a touch to compose himself, and fired low into the far corner to give Bournemouth a 1-2 lead a remarkable turnaround at the Emirates.

Despite Arteta throwing on attacking reinforcements including Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah, Arsenal couldn’t find a response. Bournemouth defended deep, absorbed the pressure, and limited the hosts to few clear chances. The best opportunity came in stoppage time, when Nketiah’s header glanced just over the bar.

The final whistle was met with frustration and disbelief from the home fans, who have seen their side go from title contenders to potentially slipping to third in the space of a few weeks. Arsenal remain second in the Premier League with 67 points, but Manchester City are now just three points behind with a game in hand. Newcastle are also lurking close by with 62, while Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, both on 60 points with a match in hand, are still mathematically in the race for the top four.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, already crowned champions with 82 points, watch comfortably from the summit. The pressure is now squarely on Arsenal, who must not only hold off City domestically but somehow turn around their Champions League semi-final in Paris their most ambitious target of the season.

For Bournemouth, this was a win to remember. It lifted them into seventh place, leapfrogging Fulham, and gave their hopes of qualifying for European competition a significant boost. With just three games to go, they now sit seven points behind sixth place the position that secures UEFA Europa Conference League football and continue to defy expectations. Evanilson, who arrived from FC Porto under scrutiny, is now proving to be a decisive force in the Premier League.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Aston Villa defeated Fulham 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Youri Tielemans. Leicester earned a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Southampton, but both clubs, along with Ipswich who drew 2-2 with Everton are confirmed for relegation to the Championship.

Nottingham Forest will travel to Crystal Palace on Monday, aiming to climb further under Nuno Espírito Santo. Manchester United, now managed by Rúben Amorim, face Brentford on Sunday as they look to salvage a difficult campaign they currently sit 15th with just 39 points.

Wolverhampton’s six-match winning streak ended on Friday night after a 1-0 defeat away to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side remain sharp and determined to overtake Arsenal in the final stretch of the season.

For the Gunners, the situation is now delicate. A season that once promised multiple trophies could slip away if they don’t respond decisively in the coming days. Wednesday’s clash in Paris against PSG now carries even more weight not only for European glory but to salvage belief in a squad running out of momentum.