Saliba sent off as Arsenal slump to 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth
Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season against Bournemouth on Saturday, dealing an early blow to their Premier League challenge. Ryan Christie gave the home side the lead in the 70th minute and Justin Kluivert's penalty made it 2-0 against the Gunners, who had William Saliba sent off in the 30th minute.
- Sports
- Reuters
- Published Date: 09:51 | 19 October 2024
- Modified Date: 09:51 | 19 October 2024
A brilliantly-worked goal by Ryan Christie and a Justin Kluivert penalty gave Bournemouth a shock 2-0 Premier League win at home to 10-man Arsenal on Saturday, with Gunners defender William Saliba shown a straight red card in the first half.
Already missing Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka through injury, Arsenal lost Saliba on the half-hour mark when a yellow card for bringing down Evanlison was upgraded to red after a VAR review, and it turned out to be the pivotal moment of the game as their unbeaten start to the league season was ended.
After making the most of their one-man advantage to pin the visitors back, Christie finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute when fellow substitute Kluivert flicked a low corner into his path, and the 29-year-old drilled it into the top corner to give Bournemouth the lead.
Things went from bad to worse for Arsenal seven minutes later when keeper David Raya upended Evanilson in the box, and Kluivert scored from the spot to make it 2-0 and secure three well-deserved points for the Cherries.