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03 May 2025 14:57-04:00

Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth: Mikel Arteta, what are you doing?! Gunners head to Paris beaten & bruised as Bukayo Saka & Leandro Trossard struggle & Martin Odegaard defensive lapse proves costly

The Cherries stunned the Emirates to secure a famous double over the Gunners, who now travel to Paris licking their wounds after two defeats in a row

Arsenal slumped to a disappointing 2-1 loss to Bournemouth as Evanilson's controversial winning goal ensured the north Londoners would be heading into their Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain without a win in their last three games.

With PSG making 10 changes to their starting XI ahead of Wednesday's semi-final decider, Mikel Arteta did the complete opposite as he opted to name all of his big-guns from the start against Andoni Iraola's Europe-chasing Cherries - a risky move that ultimately didn't pay off.

Indeed, it was one of those star names that made the difference in the first half, with Rice, having earlier skewed two shots wide, ensuring he wasn't going to waste a third opportunity as he rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga following Martin Odegaard's gorgeous through ball to make it 1-0.

Shortly before the goal, Evanilson had headed a massive chance over the bar and the Cherries had a further flurry of opportunities before half-time - Justin Kluivert and Evanilson both going close, with David Raya almost gifting the Brazilian a goal with a loose pass out from the back.

The visitors continued to carry a threat in the second period and they would get their reward. Coming soon after Bukayo Saka had curled a shot narrowly wide, Antoine Semenyo hurled in a long throw that the Gunners failed to deal with, leaving a practically unopposed Dean Huijsen to head home past Raya and into the net.

It soon went from bad to worse for Arsenal as another set-piece proved their undoing - a corner from the left was flicked on into Evanilson's path, with the Bournemouth forward cleverly getting goal-side and deflecting the ball in. A lengthy VAR check for a handball followed but ultimately it went the way of Iraola's men.

From then on, Arsenal never really looked like getting back into it and the Gunners now head to Paris, and one of the biggest nights in the club's history, without the morale-boosting win Arteta had clearly hoped for.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium...

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Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (5/10):
Made the Emirates panic with a number of risky passes out but can't attach any blame to him for either goal.
Ben White (6/10):
More minutes in the tank and had a solid enough game that saw him win almost every header. Would've hoped to have got forward more, though.
William Saliba (7/10):
Thwarted numerous dangerous Bournemouth attacks with his blocks and quick-thinking but he might've taken more responsibility and picked up the giant Huijsen for the equalising goal.
Jakub Kiwior (5/10):
An untimely slip almost allowed Evanilson to head home and probably should've been more alert to the danger on the long throw that led to the equaliser.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (5/10):
A quiet game for the exciting teenager who would've hoped to have had more of an impact higher up the pitch.

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Midfield
Martin Odegaard (5/10):
Created Rice's goal with a clever through pass but undid his good work somewhat by allowing Evanilson to get the wrong side of him for Bournemouth's winner.
Thomas Partey (5/10):
His mere presence in the team allows Rice more freedom to get forward but was sloppy with his passing and ceded possession on multiple occasions.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Marked his 100th appearance for Arsenal with a typically lung-busting run and goal. His impact faded in the second half, though.
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Attack
Bukayo Saka (4/10):
A rare off day. He almost scored with a curling shot that arrowed just wide in the second half but he should've done a lot better with a big headed chance.
Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):
Had Araujo on toast in the first half and set-up two decent chances for Rice but his finishing remains an issue.
Leandro Trossard (4/10):
Buzzed around but indecision and lack of end product spoiled his game and he was anonymous in the second half.

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Subs & Manager
Mikel Merino (5/10):
On for Rice after 74 minutes but couldn't change the outcome.
Ethan Nwaneri (N/A):
Replaced Saka with a few minutes left.
Raheem Sterling (N/A):
Chucked on as part of a triple change as Arsenal chased the game.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (N/A):
Replaced White at the end.
Mikel Arteta (4/10):
Made the bold move not to give any of his big names the evening off as he sought momentum but it backfired, with the Gunners now heading into their biggest game of the season off the back of another loss and without sufficient rest.

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