Arsenal’s luck had to run out sooner or later. Mikel Arteta’s side finally surrendered their unbeaten start to the season after William Saliba was sent off – their third red card in their opening eight matches – as Bournemouth celebrated a famous victory thanks to goals from the substitutes Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert.
It was an evening to savour for their manager, Andoni Iraola, who saw his enterprising team record their first win over a side in the top half of the table since beating Manchester United in December. For it to come against Arteta – who grew up playing for the same youth team in San Sebastián – made it particularly sweet. But with Bukayo Saka having not made the trip to the south coast, Arsenal had looked short of inspiration even before Saliba’s red card swung the balance of the game.
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