REISS AND SHINERS Nelson keeps title dream on track with ‘beautiful’ late goal
MIKEL ARTETA admitted he had never seen or heard The Emirates go so wild with delight as league league Arsenal produced one of the great comebacks.
From the first seconds to the very last, their title ambitions were tested and stretched like never before.
One down inside 10 seconds, two behind early in the second half, Arteta’s men eventually emerged unscathed – and with their five-point cushion at the top intact.
But it required a monumental recovery as, for the fourth time since Christmas, the North
London side overturned a deficit to clinch a pivotal victory in the race to be crowned champions.
Thomas Partey (right) and sizzling super-subs Ben White and Reiss Nelson scored during an astonishing final half hour.
And no question the pick of the three was Nelson’s peach deep into added time that sparked wild scenes at The Emirates – on and off the pitch.
It was also the first time in 11 years Arsenal had won after falling two behind. No wonder
Arteta had a massive grin postmatch as he hailed their fourth win on the bounce.
The Spaniard said: “I’ve never seen or heard the stadium like this before.
“It was beautiful. You actually lose sight of where you are. I didn’t know where I was running.
“But to look at the faces of everybody – the security, my staff, the players, the fans – is so good.
“And I was so happy for Reiss. It came at the perfect time for him. The subs made a huge impact today.
“At 2-0 it would be easy for my players to hide but they showed incredible character and maturity.” Bournemouth had lost six times on the bounce at The Emirates.
This seventh reverse leaves them still stuck in the drop zone.
Yet the Dorset underdogs ripped up the form book after only 9.11 seconds.
They kicked off and sent Dango Ouattara sprinting down the right and he crossed into the danger area.
After the pre-match warm-up Arsenal defender Gabriel had required a massage on a slight muscle injury.
Well, the Brazilian seemed halfasleep as he miscued his clearance, allowing Philip Billing
a simple finish past Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal almost replied immediately. Martin Odegaard’s drive was denied by Cherries skipper Neto, who bounced up to save Bukayo Saka’s follow-up.
It was hectic and furious. Arsenal forced nine first-half corners without forcing another Neto save.
The closest they came to equalising was a rejected penalty handball appeal.
Not quite one-way traffic though. In the 21st minute Billing – not for the last time – broke at pace, picked out
Ouattara, whose closerange shot was brilliantly denied by Ramsdale. After the interval, Bournemouth took a whole 12 minutes to score as Marcos Senesi rose to head in Joe Rothwell’s corner. That raised the hosts’ anxiety to another level. It was eased to a degree when they finally found the net on 62 minutes. It also came via a corner. Neto failed to gather, Partey reduced the arrears. Eight minutes on they levelled as Nelson chipped for White to score at the far post.
That led to an even more frenetic finale, which was sealed in the 97th minute by Nelson’s 18yard screamer.
Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil was still in shock post-match, saying: “We’re devastated.
“To be 2-0 up at The Emirates against the best team in the country took a huge effort.
“I’m proud to make it the game we did but, obviously, we’re gutted to come up five seconds short.”
As for the mini-pitch invasion after Nelson’s winner, he added: “It’s not for me to comment how they celebrated.”