Arsenal’s preparations for Paris St Germain clash dented by Bournemouth comeback

Arsenal warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg at Paris St Germain with a shock 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Declan Rice fired the Gunners ahead after 34 minutes but Andoni Iraola’s visitors staged a spirited second-half comeback at the Emirates.

Dean Huijsen equalised in the 67th minute and eight minutes later Evanilson bundled in the winner to help Bournemouth complete a league double over the Gunners and boost their own faint European qualification prospects.

✌️ @afcbournemouth secure their first double over Arsenal! pic.twitter.com/Kt6PV6pm5r

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 3, 2025

Mikel Arteta revealed on Friday Arsenal’s new Premier League target was to finish second after Liverpool clinched the title last Sunday, but Manchester City’s victory over Wolves has closed the gap to three points.

This fourth league defeat of the campaign means the Gunners face a potential battle for a top-five finish over the next month, but first is a midweek trip to PSG where they will aim to overturn a one-goal deficit to reach a second Champions League final.

Despite the enormity of Wednesday’s fixture, Arteta made only two changes and one was enforced with Jurrien Timber not fit enough to be involved.

Mikel Merino, recently a makeshift forward for Arsenal, also dropped to the bench, which allowed Rice the freedom to roam forward and he dragged the first chance of note wide after 15 minutes.

Rice sent another effort off target minutes later before he winced not long after Gabriel Martinelli limped back onto the pitch following an excellent run.

Both were fine to continue but the hosts’ were nearly hit with a sucker-punch in the 26th minute when Milos Kerkez produced a superb left-footed cross but