Arsenal slump to 2-1 home defeat by Europe-chasing Bournemouth

LONDON :Arsenal suffered a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth who came from behind to take all three points in the Premier League on Saturday, with Evanilson's scrappy winner giving the visitors a huge boost in their push for European football next season.

Declan Rice gave the Gunners the lead in the 34th minute, running on to Martin Odegaard's neat reverse pass and rounding goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga before producing an accomplished finish on his 100th Arsenal appearance.

The hosts had chances to extend their lead, with Bukayo Saka curling narrowly wide, but Dean Huijsen gave Bournemouth a deserved equaliser in the 67th when he headed substitute Antoine Semenyo's long throw into the bottom corner.

Evanilson bundled home from a corner eight minutes later to complete the turnaround after a lengthy VAR review determined there was no conclusive evidence he handled the ball.

"We got the goal and felt like we controlled pretty much everything," Arsenal captain Odegaard told Sky Sports. "But they score and we lose control of the game ... the second half is not acceptable."

Arsenal stay second behind champions Liverpool and on 67 points, three points above Manchester City in third. They need six points from their remaining three games to guarantee a top-five finish and a return to the Champions League next season.

They have dropped 21 points from winning positions in a season that hinges on overturning a 1-0 deficit in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at Paris St Germain.

Bournemouth's win means they have done the double over Arsenal for the first time and move up to eighth place, which could be enough for European football next season, with 53 points from 35 games.

The Cherries have a tough run-in, with next Saturday's visit