Follow live coverage as Arsenal face AFC Bournemouth today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Arsenal FC 1 - 2 AFC Bournemouth
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:30Bournemouth’s clinical second-half performance extends their unbeaten run to five Premier League matches and gives them their first win since April 14, with two goals enough to beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Rice’s 34th-minute goal opened proceedings and put the hosts on the front foot, though Bournemouth really should have found the back of the net seven minutes before - only for Evanilson to fire his header over the bar. A back-and-forth start to the second period was altered significantly by the introduction of Semenyo, who would win a throw and use it to provide Huijsen with an assist less than 120 seconds after coming on; putting the centre-back in position to nod a finish past Raya. Set-pieces would come into play eight minutes later, when Evanilson managed an all-important touch at the back post to squeeze the ball past Raya at his near post following Tavernier’s header. Despite winning the xG battle 1.43 to 1.06, Arsenal lose a Premier League match for the first time since late February, and head into their all-important contest with PSG on Wednesday on the back of a defeat - though they remain in second place. They then travel to play Liverpool next weekend. Bournemouth, on the other hand, jump into eighth place and have a key tie with Aston Villa in seven days. That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Bournemouth - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:27FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 1-2 BOURNEMOUTH
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:27Partey goes down on the edge of the penalty area in search of a set-piece after shoulder-to-shoulder contact with Semenyo, but the referee isn’t convinced, denying the hosts’ claims and instead awarding a goal-kick.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:23Odegaard steps up and hits the free-kick with his left foot, looking to get his shot up and over the wall, but the barrier does its job and holds firm, with Jebbison getting the telling touch.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:21Odegaard is pushed over from behind by Scott, who gives away a free-kick in a dangerous, central position 25 yards from goal.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:20The fourth official indicates six minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:20Nwaneri is immediately swarmed inside the penalty area by both Kerkez and Scott, who look to deny the substitute space for a shot. After shuffling towards the byline, the newly introduced winger looks to pull back and fire a shot, but the Bournemouth full-back does just enough to put him off and win a goal-kick.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:16Substitution Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa Daniel David Jebbison
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:15Evanilson is just the fourth Brazilian player to score 10 or more goals in his debut Premier League season after Robinho, Roberto Fimino and Matheus Pereira.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:15Substitution Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka Ethan Chidiebere Nwaneri
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:15Substitution Benjamin William White Oleksandr Zinchenko
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:14Substitution Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva Raheem Shaquille Sterling
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:14Saaka plays it square to Trossard and runs diagonally to pick up a threatening position on the edge of the 18-yard box, but lax play in possession allows Semenyo to cut across and win back the ball easily on the left wing.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:13After holding on to the lead for more than a half-hour, Arsenal are now forced to open up and come forward in search of a late equaliser. The Gunners have been much less effective in front of goal in the second half, creating an xG of just 0.37 after the restart (compared to 0.95 in the first half), while conceding far more shots in the second period; though Bournemouth’s goals have been scored with their only two efforts on target.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:10Evanilson has been directly involved in five goals across his last six Premier League games (four goals, one assist), as many as in his previous 17 appearances in the competition.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:10After initially being given as a goal, VAR intervene and hold up play - taking multiple looks at the incident leading up to the goal. It appears the ball may have rolled up and struck the arm of Evanilson after his shot but if so - it is deemed inadvertent by the refereeing team - who uphold the on-pitch decision!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:04Goal Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:04Ouattara goes down ahead of a Bournemouth corner-kick after feeling something in his groin. The medical staff are on to the pitch to take a look at the winger, who may not last in the game much longer.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:03Substitution Dango Aboubacar Faissal Ouattara David Robert Brooks
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:02Substitution Declan Rice Mikel Merino Zazón
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:02The point for Bournemouth - as things stand - could change quite a bit in midtable, with the Cherries jumping ahead of both Fulham and Brighton (who play tomorrow) into eighth position. The Seagulls, as well as Brentford, have the opportunity to go back ahead of Iraola’s side with results on Sunday, though a tie at the Emirates will ensure things remain tight.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
19:00Huijsen’s finish is the first Premier League goal that Arsenal have conceded from a throw since August 2021 (Christian Norgaard for Brentford).
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:57Semenyo threatens immediately, running the length of Arsenal’s half before breaking into the penalty area, but a heavy touch at a crucial moment allows Saliba to end his progress and put the ball out of play for a throw.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:56Assist Antoine Serlom Semenyo
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:55Goal Dean Donny Huijsen
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:53Substitution Julián Vicente Araujo Zúñiga Alex Jay Scott
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:53Substitution Justin Dean Kluivert Antoine Serlom Semenyo
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:52Yellow Card Dango Aboubacar Faissal Ouattara
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:52Kluivert lashes a wild, right-footed shot from just outside the 18-yard box that sails high and wide of Raya’s goal.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:51Odegaard has the time to take a touch before shooting from 20 yards away but the captain takes a little too long setting himself, which prompts Cook to step forward and press. Hoping to keep the move going, the Arsenal captain looks to step past his opponent but he trips on the ball clumsily and gives Bournemouth the chance to clear.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:47Yellow Card Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:47SO CLOSE! Saka takes up an intelligent position off the shoulder of Zabarnyi on the right wing and receives Lewis-Skelly’s pass inside the penalty area before cutting back ahead of Adams. Spotting the space at the far post, the England international uses his weaker right foot and curls a dangerous shot towards the top corner but the ball flies inches wide of the target!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:45Trossard is furious with the referee, who doesn’t award a free-kick despite Araujo hauling the forward down with two hands. As he has done all contest, he instead allows play to flow, and eventually awards a goal-kick to Kepa.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:43Saka’s inswinging corner to the near post is missed by Martinelli, which allows Evanilson to power the ball away from his goal with his head.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:42Cook takes up a great position to close down Saka’s angle and stretches out just enough to block the winger’s eventual shot to the near post - turning it behind for a corner.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:41Tavernier spins away from Partey with great skill to keep hold of possession in the face of a number of Arsenal players, but he eventually falls to the ground after apparent contact from Odegaard. Right under the nose of the referee, Gillett sees nothing wrong with the intervention, and allows play to continue.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:39Rice drifts offside carelessly at the back post and brings a promising Arsenal attack to an abrupt halt after making contact with Saka’s mistimed header two steps in front of Kepa’s goal.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:36Zabarnyi breaks two Arsenal lines with a pass forward in search of Kluivert, who wins a step on Lewis-Skelly, only to be beaten to the ball 20 yards from goal by the oncoming Raya.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:34Arsenal get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:28Bournemouth seemingly needed a bit of extra help breaking down Arsenal’s defensive block in the first half, which will only become more important as the hosts sit back to protect their lead. Scott could come in to fill a spot in midfield and link defence and attack, while the opposition back line will not want to see the introduction of Semenyo - who has nine goals and four assists this season. Arteta’s team will be desperate for a win to extend their margin over Manchester City as the season draws to a close, but with a Champions League semi-final upcoming, he will also be hoping his side can preserve energy and remain healthy. Tierney will likely make an appearance after the restart to freshen legs at the back, while Saka will almost certainly get an early rest.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:23Rice celebrates his 100th Arsenal appearance in style, with his 34th-minute finish the only thing separating the hosts and Bournemouth at the interval. It was the visitors who took the early initiative, leading the possession stats while getting it forward early at every opportunity in hopes of releasing Ouattara and Tavernier. A pair of good opportunities at the quarter-hour mark could have left the Gunners ahead, and the Cherries followed up with a gilt-edged chance of their own, only for Evanilson to fire his point-blank header over the bar. Iraola’s side will also feel aggrieved that a penalty decision didn’t go their way, and the misery was compounded 120 seconds later when Rice popped up to break the deadlock. Arsenal lead the way in xG 0.95 to 0.53 but it’s still anyone’s game with 45 minutes left to play.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:19HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:17The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:17Raya takes up a position outside his penalty area and rolls the ball towards Odegaard, only for Ouattara to react quicker and win it back. He immediately picks out Evanilson, who looks to take advantage of the goalkeeper being off his line, only to chip an effort that loops over the crossbar.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:15A KEY DEFLECTION KEEPS ARSENAL AHEAD! Ouattara dances past Partey in midfield before playing it forward to Kluivert, who steps inside from the left with intent. The forward skips past White to open space before firing a shot from a central area 20 yards from goal that takes enough of a touch off Saliba to carry the ball over the crossbar!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:13Cook again sends his set-piece delivery to the edge of the penalty area, this time for Huijsen, who chests it down but in doing so, allows Odegaard to clear.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:12Partey mistimes his challenge and brings Tavernier down in the right channel, giving Bournemouth a free-kick just inside Arsenal’s half.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:10Martinelli scoops a first-time pass into Bournemouth’s defensive third from the halfway line but nobody reads his intentions, allowing the ball to drift slowly towards the awaiting Kepa on the edge of his area.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:10Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 38 Premier League games when scoring first (30 wins and eight draws) since a 2-1 loss at Fulham in December 2023.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:06Bournemouth’s appeals for a penalty go unnoticed by referee Jarred Gillett, who waives play on after Saliba’s sliding challenge from behind leaves Ouattara down on the pitch. VAR has a look at the incident as well and decides to uphold the decision on the pitch, as there was just enough contact with the ball to make it a clean tackle.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:05Goal Declan Rice
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:05SUPER SAVE FROM KEPA! Martinelli drops his shoulder to get to the byline ahead of Araujo before standing up a cross to the edge of the six-yard box. Trossard gets there first ahead of a diving Kerkez and puts his low header on target, but a quick-thinking Kepa makes the stop on the goal-line!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:01No side have conceded fewer goals in the opening 20 minutes of games across the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (five, alongside Everton).
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
18:00Saka receives the ball with his back to goal inside the penalty area and brings Martinelli into play after Kerkez’s miscontrol in a defensive area, but the forward is unable to work the goalkeeper despite lax marking from the Bournemouth defence.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:58BOURNEMOUTH SQUANDER THE BEST CHANCE SO FAR! Kerkez is given time and space on the left flank to shape an inviting cross to the penalty spot, where Evanilson gets the better of Kiwior and leaves the centre-back on the ground. The striker makes great contact from point-blank range and looks to beat Raya high down the middle with his header, but he flashes his opportunity over the crossbar!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:57Cook stands over the set-piece and raises two arms before sending the free-kick to the edge of the 18-yard box, where it’s met and repelled by Saliba.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:56Cook’s raking diagonal out to the right looks to put Tavernier in position to trouble Lewis-Skelly, but a rather uncoordinated coming-together leaves the pair on the ground and forces the referee to award Arsenal a free-kick to clear their lines.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:53Arsenal have won all eight of their home games against Bournemouth in all competitions, scoring 23 goals and conceding just four.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:51LOVELY WORK ALMOST LEADS TO A GOAL! White advances down the right wing with the ball at his feet and plays it into Saka before continuing his run into the 18-yard box towards the byline. Using quick feet reminiscent of Iniesta’s signature skill, Saka returns it to his team-mate in space, but the ensuing cross is cleared off the line by Zabarnyi!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:49Martinelli again proves too tricky for Araujo, who requires support from Adams to close down the space. Recognising the gap in midfield, the Brazil international plays the ball square to Rice, whose half-volley from 20 yards out is sent well wide.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:48Arsenal have won all eight of their home games against Bournemouth in all competitions, scoring 23 goals and conceding just four.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:47RICE DRAGS WIDE! Odegaard puts the ball on his left foot and plays it between the lines for Martinelli, who uses his first touch to hit a pass into the penalty area for Rice. The England international gets there first ahead of both Araujo and Huijsen and looks to guide a finish towards the far post, but he misses the target narrowly!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:45Tavernier is tasked with taking Bournemouth’s first corner of the match but his high delivery fails to put the Arsenal defence under pressure, as Huijsen is forced to keep the ball in play on the far side after failing to make contact with his attempted header.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:44Araujo clips a cross towards the back post from the right with Ouattara attacking the space, but White gets ahead of the winger to put the ball out of play for a corner using his chest.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:42Partey shrugs off the calls from the crowd to shoot and instead fires a pass into the feet of Odegaard before continuing his run into the penalty area, but he misplaces his initial ball and promptly gives it away in an attacking area.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:39Partey’s switch of play out to the right for Saka is deflected by the covering Cook, which takes the ball into the path of Kerkez, who wins the header to clear his lines and keep possession.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:37Bournemouth again use their centre-backs to get the ball long in hopes of finding a winger in space, but Ouattara is unable to bring Huijsen’s pass down from the sky and gives away a throw.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:36Odegaard’s left-footed set-piece delivery from wide is easily nodded away by a stooping Araujo at the near post, who makes amends for the foul conceded.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:35Araujo drags Martinelli to the ground on the left flank, giving Arsenal a free-kick in an advanced position.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:34Ouattara gets the better of White and uses the space created to flash a cross into the Arsenal six-yard box, only for Raya to get to the delivery ahead of the lurking Evanilson.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:33Zabarnyi launches it long down the right channel from inside his own half, looking to pick out Tavernier, but the winger is unable to prevent the ball from rolling behind for an early goal-kick.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:32Bournemouth get the match under way from the kick-off!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:16Bournemouth make three alterations from the team that let a lead slip late to tie Manchester United 1-1 six days ago. Two changes on the right-hand side see Araujo and Tavernier come in for Smith and Semenyo at full-back and winger respectively, while Scott is dropped to the bench in favour of Cook in midfield.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:16Arsenal make two changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace on April 23. A knock keeps Jurrien Timber out of the matchday squad ahead of PSG, giving White a chance to start at right–back, while Saka is preferred to Sterling on the right wing.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:16BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Marcos Senesi, David Brooks, Alex Scott, Adam Smith, Julio Soler, Daniel Jebbison, James Hill, Antoine Semenyo, Will Dennis.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:16BOURNEMOUTH XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, Julian Araujo; Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook; Dango Ouattara, Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier; Evanilson.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:16ARSENAL SUBS: Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling, Tommy Setford, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Jimi Gower, Ethan Nwaneri, Brayden Clarke.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:16ARSENAL XI (4-3-3): David Raya; Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jakub Kiwior, William Saliba, Ben White; Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:16With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:06A patchy run of form at the tail-end of the season has seen Bournemouth drop from Champions League contention and fifth spot down to 10th in 10 matchweeks, thanks in part to four losses and four draws in that time. Andoni Iraola’s team have weathered the storm somewhat and have managed four-straight games without defeat (picking up six points in that time), including last weekend’s 1-1 tie that saw Rasmus Hojlund snatch a point for Manchester United in the sixth minute of additional time.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:06Confirmation of Liverpool’s league title last weekend leaves Arsenal with relatively little to play for domestically with just four games to go despite a nine-match unbeaten run, though Mikel Arteta’s side will know there are still other prizes on offer. Sitting in second, three points ahead of Manchester City having played one match fewer, the Gunners will no doubt be keeping one eye on their midweek Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, after losing the first leg 1-0 at home.
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
17:00Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Bournemouth!
Arsenal vs AFC Bournemouth
15:30Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
