While Mikel Arteta’s players could be forgiven for having one eye on Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, they could ill afford to rest on their laurels with a top-five finish still to be secured.
Declan Rice was making his 100th Arsenal appearance, and had the Gunners’ first chance when he flashed an angled strike wide following some lovely link-up play involving Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli. The midfielder then shot wide again, with Martinelli the provider, as the hosts began to find their rhythm.
However, the clearest opening inside the opening 25 minutes came for the Cherries, as Evanilson powered a close-range header over the bar from Milos Kerkez’s cross.
Martinelli was causing plenty of problems down the left flank and played a brilliant ball towards Leandro Trossard, whose arched header was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
But it was Rice who made the breakthrough, expertly taking Ødegaard’s through ball into stride, rounding Kepa and coolly slotting home into an empty net.
Arteta’s side looked vulnerable at the back though, and Evanilson’s long-range effort which went narrowly over the bar after David Raya was caught outside his goal, provided a timely reminder of the visitors’ threat.
Arsenal had the bit between their teeth in search of a second goal after the break, with Bukayo Saka heavily involved. The England winger was expertly picked out by Myles Lewis-Skelly and cut inside his right foot, before unleashing a strike past the far post.
Despite the Gunners’ pressure, Andoni Iraola’s men restored parity in the 67th minute with an equaliser of amazing simplicity. Antoine Semenyo had been on the pitch for a mere two minutes when he launched a long throw-in towards Dean Huijsen, whose superb glancing header flew past Raya.
The Cherries were not done there though, and Evanilson stunned the Emirates with an unorthodox finish at the far post after Marcus Tavernier flicked on Alex Scott’s corner.
The goal went through a lengthy VAR check for offside and handball, but was subsequently given despite replays suggesting the ball struck the striker’s arm before beating Raya.
Iraola's team would hold on to secure a first-ever victory away at Arsenal, moving up to eighth in the table and boosting their hopes of securing European qualification for the first time.
Meanwhile, Arsenal succumbed to consecutive home defeats in all competitions for the first time in 16 months, and will be nervously looking over their shoulders as they look to avoid being dragged into top-five battle.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth)