Bournemouth Upset Leaves Arsenal Fighting to Secure Second Place

Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge took a major hit after a 2-1 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Gunners led through a 34th-minute goal from Declan Rice, but second-half strikes by Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen and Evanilson turned the match around .

This shock result – Arsenal’s fourth league loss of the season – means Mikel Arteta’s side have now won only one of their last five league games .

For most of the season Arsenal had been chasing Liverpool at the top, but this defeat has effectively ended their title ambitions. Liverpool have already been crowned champions , leaving Arsenal’s focus on defending second place.

The North London club remain second on 67 points , only three ahead of third-placed Manchester City (64) . Fourth-placed Newcastle United sit five points back on 62 with a game in hand, which if won would cut Arsenal’s cushion to just two points .

Arsenal face a daunting run-in as they try to hold off their pursuers. They travel to Anfield next to meet Liverpool on 11 May , before hosting Newcastle in a crucial showdown at Emirates Stadium on 18 May .

A Newcastle victory in that fixture could leapfrog the Magpies into second place . Arsenal then finish the campaign away at Southampton on 25 May . Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to capitalize on any further Arsenal stumbles, with their remaining schedule featuring games against Southampton, Bournemouth and Fulham .