Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth: Reiss Nelson scores last-gasp winner as Gunners come from two down to beat Cherries

Match report and free highlights as Arsenal came from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2; Reiss Nelson scored on 97 minutes after Thomas Partey and Ben White’s goals; Philip Billing opened the scoring after just nine seconds, before Marcos Senesi doubled the lead after half-time

A bizarre encounter at a raucous Emirates Stadium began with the Cherries taking the lead after just nine seconds, as a well-worked kick-off routine was finished by Philip Billing at the back post.

Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the possession and chances against the relegation-threatened side, holding 80 per cent of the ball and mustered 30 shots on goal overall – but fell further behind to Marco Senesi’s header from a corner.

But Arsenal’s young side were not to be disheartened as they levelled the game with two goals in seven minutes after the hour mark. Both goals came from unlikely sources as Partey tapped home at the back post from Emile Smith Rowe’s header, before White finished Nelson’s cross.

And as Arsenal huffed and puffed for a winner, Nelson curled home with the last kick of the game to spark bedlam at the Emirates, with the Gunners’ five-point lead at the top of the table maintained.

The Cherries players put five players on the left of the halfway line at the kick-off but played the ball right to Dango Ouattara, who crossed for an unmarked Billing to tap home past Aaron Ramsdale.

The Emirates were stunned but the home crowd roared their team towards encouragement. It nearly led to a quick equaliser as Neto got down well to save Martin Odegaard’s shot from the edge the box, the Cherries goalkeeper also quick to deny Bukayo Saka at the rebound.

The same Arsenal duo tested the Bournemouth goalkeeper again – but despite the hosts having around 85% possession, the Cherries created the next big chance of the game.

Dominic Solanke’s break saw him play Billing in behind the defence, played onside by the retreating Leandro Trossard who was carrying an injury.

Billing squared to Solanke and Ouattara in the penalty area, who were both waiting for a tap-in but Ramsdale denied the latter with a superb sprawling save.

Trossard limped off injured with Emile Smith Rowe replacing him off the bench. That dampened Arsenal’s momentum slightly in terms of attacking influence, despite seeing two VAR checks on a Chris Mepham handball and a challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu go against their way.

Arsenal continued their dominance after the break but what nobody saw coming was a Bournemouth second. Partey fell asleep at a corner and it allowed Senesi to run across him and head past Ramsdale.

Jack Stephens nearly gave Arsenal a way back into the game as his wild slice ended up in the back of the net but the resulting corner saw the Gunners pull one back.

Neto punched an Arsenal corner clear and Smith Rowe headed onto Partey at the back post, who tucked home in a moment of redemption for the midfielder.

The Emirates noise levels rose again and Bournemouth could only last seven minutes before succumbing to another goal. Arteta brought on Reiss Nelson for Smith Rowe and the substitute’s cross was met by White at the back post.

The England defender’s first-time finish was clawed out by Neto from behind the line, but goal line technology validated the effort.

Arsenal went to complete the comeback as Martinelli broke clear behind the Bournemouth backline, but blazed over as he entered the box. Vieira saw a long-range shot end up in a similar outcome while the Gunners had handball appeals on Senesi and Billing waved away by VAR.

Arsenal thought the chance had gone when Oleksandr Zinchenko’s deflected effort bounced wide. But Nelson stole the show at the end by finding that same corner.