Philip Billing’s opening goal was the second fastest in Premier League history Reiss Nelson scored a stunning 97th-minute winner as Premier League leaders Arsenal came from two goals down to beat Bournemouth. Bournemouth had taken the lead wlip after just 9.11 seconds through, Phi -0 up via a Marco Senesi header. However Arsenal pulled level with goals by Thomas Partey and Ben White, before Nelson struck. The winger, making his first appearance since 12 November, slammed in from 25 yards in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Arsenal’s Premier League lead is restored to five points, after they had seemed certain to cede ground to Manchester City, winners over Newcastle in the early kick-off. Bournemouth, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone after threatening a major upset – and beginning at top speed. Billing’s goal was the second-quickest in Premier League history – only Shane Long, who scored for Southampton after 7.69 seconds at Watford in April 2019, has netted faster .Nelson colossal as Arsenal snatch victoryNelson had played just 64 minutes of Premier League football this season – having struggled with thigh problems – before being thrown on as a second-half substitute by Mikel Arteta here. a half-cleared corner outside the area and bending a superb strike beyond Bournemouth keeper Neto. The outpouring of emotion that followed was enormous; the Arsenal bench cleared as virtually every player and member of staff rushed to celebrate with the match-winner. Nelson had Earlier, with practically his first Premier League touch of 2023, provided the assist for White to equalize with his first Arsenal goal. White, brought on as a half-time substitute after Takehiro Tomiyasu endured a torrid 45 minutes, struck Nelson’s deeptime cross first and his shot was palmed away from behind the line by Neto, with referee Christopher Kavanagh giving it via goalline technology. What is remarkable is that Nelson, ha d everything gone to plan for Arsenal, would have been very unlikely to reach the pitch. He replaced Emile Smith Rowe, himself a sub for Leandro Trossard, who suffered a first half injury.However it is with unexpected twists, remarkable moments and incredible goals that titles are often won. Billing’s rocket start in vain for CherriesArteta would have wanted his side to make a fast start in order to restore their advantage over City. He got the exact opposite. From the kick-off, Joe Rothwell fed a pass wide to Dango Ouattara, whose low ball across the box was dummied by Dominic Solanke and missed by Gabriel, who allowed it beneath his studs. Billing escaped William Saliba’s lax marking, and finished under Aaron Ramsdale. With the form which earned Gary O’Neil the permanent manager’s seat a distant memory, and now just one win in their last 12 games, a win – or even a point – would have provided a real boost for Bournemouth in their bid to escape relegation. However, like Arsenal, their def ence is their weakness. Nelson’s strike was the 35th goal they have conceded in away Premier League matches this season – a division high. The greater damage however could be psychological, with players, fans and O’Neil all left in despair by the late winner .For a long time, Bournemouth defended their very early lead with stubbornness and co-ordination, marshalled well by goalkeeper-captain Neto, who made a terrific double save from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka just minutes after Billing’s opener.Bournemouth to were attack happy On the break, and should have gone two ahead before half-time, Ramsdale making a superb spreading save to deny Dango Ouattara as the visitors countered from an Arsenal corner. However they dropped deeper as the game progressed – until the decisive blow in the final seconds.Partey gets the late party started While Arsenal continue to lead the pack in their pursuit of a first Premier League title in 19 years, they also have clear defensive frailties – they now ha ve just three clean sheets in their past 18 home league games. Arteta may have thought the return of Partey to central midfield, his first start in three weeks, would have given a defensive boost. But the Ghanaian, playing in front of his national team manager Chris Hughton, was at fault for the Bournemouth second. Partey lost his man Senesi from a 57th-minute corner, allowing the Italian defender a free near-post header past Ramsdale. He started to make amends with Arsenal’s first goal, volleying home from six yards – before Nelson took over.Match of the Day: Ian Wright’s reaction to Arsenal’s late winnerLine-upsArsenalFormation 4-3-31Ramsdale18Tomiyasu12Saliba6Gabriel35Zinchenko8Ødegaard5Partey21Fábio Vieira7Saka19Trossard11Martinelli1Ramsdale18TomiyasuSubstituted forWhiteat 45’minutes12Saliba6Gabriel35Zinchenko8Ødegaard5Partey21Fábio VieiraSubstituted forXhakaat 84’minutes7Saka19TrossardSubstituted forSmith Roweat 22’minutesSubstituted forNelsonat 69’minutes11MartinelliSubstitutes3Tier ney4White10Smith Rowe15Kiwior16Holding20Jorginho24Nelson30Turner34XhakaBournemouthFormation 5-4-113Neto15A Smith6Mepham3Stephens25Senesi33Zemura11Ouattara14Rothwell29Billing24Semenyo9Solanke13NetoBooked at 64mins15A Smith6MephamBooked at 86mins3Stephens25Senesi33ZemuraSubstituted forFredericksat 64’minutes11OuattaraSubstituted forChristieat 82’minutes14RothwellSubstituted forL Cookat 70’minutes29Billing24SemenyoSubstituted forAnthonyat 64’minutes9SolankeSubstitutes1Travers2Fredericks4L Cook10Christie12Randolph17Stacey21Moore32Anthony41PollockReferee:Chris KavanaghAttendance:60,222Live TextMatch ends, Arsenal 3, Bournemouth 2.Second Half ends, Arsenal 3, Bournemouth 2. Goal! Arsenal 3, Bournemouth 2. Reiss Nelson (Arsenal) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner following a corner. Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Ryan Christie. Attempt missed. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Reiss N elson. Attempt blocked. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by William Saliba. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Ryan Christie (Bournemouth). Attempt saved. Reiss Nelson (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Oleksandr Zinchenko. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Adam Smith (Bournemouth). Corner, Arsenal Conceded by Ryan Fredericks. Foul by Reiss Nelson (Arsenal). Adam Smith (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Oleksandr Zinchenko following a corner. Attempt blocked. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben White. Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Ryan Fredericks. Chris Mepham (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Gabriel Martinelli ( Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Foul by Chris Mepham (Bournemouth).Player of the matchNelsonReiss NelsonAFC BournemouthSquad number29Player nameBillingSquad number9Player nameSolankeSquad number25Player nameSenesiSquad number13Player nameNetoSquad number3Player nameStephensSquad number6Player nameMephamSquad number24Player nameSemenyoSquad number14Player nameRothwellSquad number15Player nameA SmithSquad number33Player nameZemuraSquad number11Player nameOuattaraSquad number32Player nameAnthonySquad number10Player nameChristieSquad number4Player nameL CookSquad number2Player nameFredericksOur coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
