Arsenal 3-2 Bournemouth: Super-Sub Reiss Nelson snatches late win for the Gunners | OneFootball

Reiss Nelson’s last-minute goal helped Arsenal grab a vital win over relegation-threatened Bournemouth to re-establish a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

After a tricky period during January and February, Mikel Arteta’s side seemed to have turned a corner after posting three consecutive wins.

Heading into what should have been an easy three-pointer, the Gunners were searching for their fourth win in a row.

Manchester City’s victory earlier in the day meant that Arteta’s side could ill afford to slip up, but they were in trouble straight from the kick-off.

Bournemouth broke down the right side, and Dango Ouattara swung in a cross that caught out the Arsenal defence for Philip Billing to apply a simple finish that stunned the Emirates Stadium.

Neto was forced into making a fantastic double save to deny Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka almost immediately as Arsenal searched for a quick response.

Despite their overwhelming dominance, Ouattara almost went from creator to goalscorer after a scintillating counter from the Cherries, but Ramsdale was on hand to pull off an outstanding save.

Having conceded the second-fastest goal in Premier League history, the onus was on the league leaders to respond in the second period, especially against a side with the worst defensive record in the division.

However, Bournemouth extended their lead in the 57th minute as Marcos Senesi got on the end of an excellent Joe Rothwell corner and glanced it into the net.

Arsenal were two goals down, but the Gunners soon mounted a stunning second-half comeback to turn the game on its head.

Emile Smith Rowe, who briefly returned from injury before sustaining another problem, headed a tentatively cleared corner towards goal. He found Thomas Partey, who made no mistake slotting home.

The home side then equalised when second-half substitute Nelson found Ben White at the far post, and his shot made it over the line despite Neto’s best efforts.

With the Emirates rocking as the team hunted a late winner, Nelson turned from creator to goalscorer eight minutes into stoppage time.

The Englishman’s rifled shot went through a pile of bodies and found its way into the net, sending the Arsenal faithful into a frenzy.

The Gunners have survived another matchday, inching closer to relieving Pep Guardiola’s City of their Premier League crown.

They will now switch their attention to European football with a Europa League knockout tie against Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon up next.