Arsenal knocking on Champions League door

LONDON In its second season away from the Champions League, Arsenal is showing signs it intends to return to the elite competition.

The Gunners won 2-1 at Bournemouth Sunday to move within one point of fourth-place Chelsea and the Champions League spots.

Pierre-emerick Aubameyang scored his eighth Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal extended its unbeaten run to 17 matches in all competitions.

Jefferson Lerma scored a remarkable volleyed own-goal to give the visitors the lead at Vitality Stadium with Joshua King levelling for Bournemouth before Aubameyang ’s second-half strike.

Arsenal, which has not lost since August, took the lead a half-hour in as Lerma accidentally converted Sead Kolasinac’s cross past Asmir Begovic. However, Arsenal’s run of not leading at halftime continued.

Cardiff is the only other top-flight side yet to hold a halftime lead in the league this season and King ’s smart finish with the last meaningful kick of the opening 45 minutes ensured Bournemouth went in level. Arsenal was again pushing for a second goal, but having lost possession in the Bournemouth box a rapid counterattack ended with King converting past Leno.

Neither side could create anything of note at the start of the second half. But Arsenal fans were soon celebrating the lead as Aubameyang slid in to score from six yards out in the 67th after another Kolasinac cross.