Nelson slams last-gasp winner as Arsenal complete monumental comeback against Bournemouth

Arsenal’s Premier League fairytale in the 2022/23 season continued on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners came from two goals down in the second half to secure a precious win against Bournemouth. Reiss Nelson scored the winning goal for the Gunners with virtually the last kick of the game after Thomas Partey and Ben White pulled the hosts level in the second half in an extraordinary encounter in North London.

Manchester City’s win over Newcastle United in the early game on Saturday cut down the Gunners’ lead at the top of the table to two points and raised the stakes for Mikel Arteta’s side against Bournemouth. The hosts, though, stumbled out of the gates against the Cherries and were caught napping as Phillip Billing opened the scoring inside ten seconds.

Bournemouth executed their kick-off routine to perfection as Dango Outarra’s cross was bundled home by Phillip Billing to score the second-quickest goal in the history of the Premier League. Arsenal dominated the possession after the early goal, but couldn’t find a way past a well-drilled Bournemouth defence. The visitors also went close to doubling their lead in the first half, with Aaron Ramsdale making an excellent save to deny an unmarked Outarra in the penalty area.

Arsenal had two penalty shouts turned down by the referee Chris Kavanagh in the first half, and their problems compounded after the break as Bournemouth extended their lead. Marco Senesi evaded his marker and headed past Aaron Ramsdale, lifting the Cherries to a 2-0 advantage against the league leaders.

However, just as the game looked to be slipping from Arsenal’s grasp, the hosts pulled one back from a corner, with Thomas Partey latching onto Emile Smith Rowe’s cross at the far post to make it 2-1. The Gunners levelled the scores just seven minutes later with two substitutes combining. Ben White got on the end of Reiss Nelson’s cross and volleyed home to score his first Arsenal goal, giving the Gunners 20 minutes to find a winner.

The hosts pushed hard for the elusive third goal, and just as the game seemed to be heading towards a draw, Reiss Nelson delivered the sucker punch to secure the victory. The Hale End graduate smashed the ball home on the volley in the 97th minute of the game, sending the Emirates crowd into raptures and providing another heart-stopping twist in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners restored their five-point advantage at the top of the table with this victory, taking them to 63 points after 26 matches.