Arsenal throw away Bournemouth lead as race for Europe takes twist - 5 talking points

Bournemouth came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates and shake-up the race for European football. The Gunners suffered their second successive home loss on the back of Tuesday's deflating 1-0 defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.

opened the scoring with 34 minutes on the clock at the Emirates, continuing his impressive goalscoring form. That goal showed how influential team-mate Thomas Partey is, having missed the first leg against PSG through suspension.

The Gunners were in firm control of the game but Bournemouth, looking for their first ever Premier League double over Arsenal, knew that a chance would come their way. It came from a throw-in, as Dean Huijsen headed home to continue a worrying trend for Arsenal.

Their set-piece struggles continued when a Cherries corner was finished off by Evanilson, who was initially suspended for the match before the FA overturned his red card against in midweek. Bournemouth's hopes of playing European football next year were given a huge boost while Arsenal will have to wait to secure Champions League football in the 2025-26 season.

Bournemouth themselves were reeling from a 1-1 draw with United last weekend, conceding in stoppage time. There was no escaping the backdrop of Wednesday's semi-final second leg for the hosts but that didn't affect Mikel Arteta's line-up.

Here are five talking points from the Emirates.

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1. Arteta goes strong

Ahead of what could be a season-defining night in Paris on Wednesday, only made two changes to his starting line-up. Thomas Partey and came in for Mikel Merino and the injured Jurrien Timber, showing just how important the boss believed this game was.

That was in contrast to boss Luis Enrique, who made 10 changes as his side travelled to face Strasbourg. They lost 2-1, their second Ligue 1 defeat in a row and third without a win.

Arteta was hoping for better and the Gunners started well. Declan Rice flashed a shot wide before defender Illia Zabarnyi headed clear on the line.

Will Arsenal beat Paris Saint-Germain? Give us your score prediction in the .

2. Rice continues goalscoring form on 100th appearance

Despite a few hairy moments, it always felt like the first goal was coming Arsenal's way. In light of Partey's return, Rice was given more license to burst forward and one of his many runs towards box was found by a neat Martin Odegaard pass.

Rice then took the ball around Kepa Arrizabalaga and slotted home, scoring his third goal in seven games on his 100th appearance for the Gunners. The assist from Odegaard was welcome, having been criticised for his performance against PSG in midweek.

3. Set-piece concerns grow for the Gunners

They may be deadly when it comes to scoring from set pieces but Arsenal are one of the Premier League's most susceptible sides when defending them. After conceding from a corner in their last game at the Emirates, Bournemouth followed suit with a long throw-in from Antoine Semenyo, who'd just come on.

The ball was flighted towards Dean Huijsen and the £50million-rated centre-back rose highest to head past . It was Huijsen's fourth goal of the season - all with his head - and it was game on. recently joked that Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover should have his wage cut in half, but their problems are no laughing matter.

4. Bournemouth complete the comeback

Sent off last weekend, the hero next game. Evanilson's red card against Manchester United was overturned to allow him to face Arsenal and he scored to make it 2-1 just eight minutes after Huijsen's equaliser.

It came, unsurprisingly, from a set piece, with Evanilson muscling Odegaard out of the way at the far post to tap in. A VAR check for a handball ensued, although ultimately there was no 'factual evidence' that the ball had hit a Bournemouth arm during the goal.

5. Third in a two-horse race?

Arsenal's grip on second place has been loosening in recent weeks and after Manchester City's win on Friday, there's now just three points separating the sides. Arteta's men play - once their title rivals - at Anfield next weekend while City will be looking to continue their resurgence away to relegated .

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