Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth: Premier League Evanilson ignites Cherries’ Euro hopes as Gunners let another lead slip to suffer blow ahead of PSG clash

Evanilson struck the winner as Bournemouth came from behind to bolster their European hopes with a 2-1 victory at Arsenal that served as a blow to The Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash at PSG - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The visitors made a bright start, but it was Declan Rice who opened the scoring when he latched on to Martin Odegaard’s pass, rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga and fired home on 34 minutes to mark his 100th appearance for the club in style.

Evanilson had some big first-half chances for The Cherries but could not find the finish, while Justin Kluivert’s deflected effort flew just over.

Andoni Iraola’s men remained in the hunt in the second half and equalised on 67 minutes when Dean Huijsen glanced a header into the far corner from a long throw.

Arsenal looked shell-shocked and were undone again 15 minutes from time when Evanilson bundled a flick-on from a left-wing corner in at the far post.

The result sees Bournemouth climb to eighth place with their hopes of qualifying for Europe for the first time still alive.

Arsenal remain second after suffering a fourth league loss of the campaign, but they have work to do in terms of clinching the runner-up berth and Champions League football next season, with Manchester City and Newcastle circling.

Arsenal now turn their attention to their huge Champions League semi-final second leg at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night before visiting champions Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, while Bournemouth host Aston Villa on Saturday.

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Speaking on Sky Sports about Iraola’s side being the first Cherries team to win away to Arsenal, Redknapp said: "Fabulous. Honestly, what this team have done this season, what he’s achieved [Iraola] with the style of football, the way they play - the way they make it so difficult but also have fantastic quality. The likes of Kerkez, Huijsen the 20-year-old centre back - he scored an important goal for his team.

"They were wonderful today. I was there as a young man, I left at 17 years of age. If you had said to me then, this is what they would be doing with a big opportunity to get in Europe, I would never have believed you."

Former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy on The Gunners' sloppy lead-up to PSG: "You want to go to the second leg in Paris, full of confidence. You see a strong line-up at the beginning of the game, so Arteta took it seriously, but… it’s weird to concede two set pieces from them. The way they conceded the goals…

"There was a bit of a lack of enthusiasm and energy around the stadium, I felt. It’s going to be a challenging and hard end to the season for them."

Mikel Arteta named a strong starting XI despite the looming prospect of a potentially season-defining Champions League semi-final second leg at PSG on Wednesday.

The Gunners boss was keen for his side to build some momentum heading to the French capital and to make sure they don’t complicate clinching second place and get dragged into the tense race for the UCL places.

Sadly for the Spaniard, it didn’t work out that way as they failed to win after taking the lead for the 10th time this season and lost back-to-back home matches for the first time in 16 months.

It not only gives them a psychological knock heading to Paris, but also opens the door for Man City and Newcastle to push for second place.

As for Bournemouth, Iraola and Co put aside a recent dip to rise to eighth, secure a first-ever league double over Arsenal and ignite their hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth.

A loose ball falls for Odegaard 15 yards out, but Scott gets there to block the Norwegian as he attempted to let fly.

Odegaard takes the free kick himself but thrashes it straight into the wall.

Odegaard is tumbled 25 yards from goal in a central area.

Six minutes added.

Evanilson off, Jebbison on.

Sterling, Nwaneri, Zinchenko on.

Martinelli, White and Saka off.

There has been no response to falling behind from the home side.

It's been all Bournemouth since that Evanilson goal.

Arsenal will remain second, but will only be three points clear of Man City in third with three games to play.

Newcastle could cut the gap to second spot to two points with a win at Brighton on Sunday.

It's 'Ole' from the away end as Bournemouth keep possession well.

Can they see this out to complete a first ever league double over Arsenal?

VAR check for an eternity but they can't find any conclusive proof to disallow it.

The Cherries lead!

It's a shocker for the hosts.

A flick-on from a left-wing corner is met by the under-pressure Evanilson, who bundles in at the back stick.

VAR will check it for a handball and an offside....

Ouattara heads off after picking up a problem.

Brooks on.

Merino on for Rice.

The visitors' tails are up.

Arsenal can't get out of their own area and Tavernier sees a venomous 18-yarder deflect off target.

Still plenty of time for Arsenal to regain the lead, mind you.