Arsenal slip up in Premier League title race as England World Cup hopeful leads Bournemouth upset

Ed Griffiths
Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:33:45 +0000

Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations suffered a significant setback on Saturday as Bournemouth claimed a deserved 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Teenage sensation Eli Junior Kroupi gave the visitors a 17th-minute lead with a close-range volley after Ryan Christie's incisive pass released Truffert down the left flank.

Viktor Gyokeres restored parity from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, firing powerfully into the bottom corner after Christie was penalised for handball.

However, Alex Scott, who was the outstanding performer throughout, struck the decisive blow in the 74th minute, sweeping home emphatically after Evanilson's clever through ball.

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The Bournemouth midfielder is hopeful to be included in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad following his first senior England call-up in November last year for qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.

The Cherries dominated proceedings from the outset, pressing aggressively and forcing Mikel Arteta's side into uncomfortable situations throughout.

Arsenal appeared anxious in possession, with goalkeeper David Raya making several risky passes that nearly proved costly.

The home supporters grew increasingly frustrated with their team's laboured approach, prompting Arteta to gesture for calm from the touchline.

Bournemouth's midfield trio of Christie, Marcus Tavernier and Scott controlled the tempo, while Arsenal managed just two shots on target across the entire match.

Scott's winner came from a slick passing move, with David Brooks feeding Evanilson, who guided the ball into the midfielder's path to finish clinically past Raya.

The result leaves Arsenal nine points clear of Manchester City at the summit, though Pep Guardiola's side have two matches in hand.

City travel to Chelsea on Sunday before hosting Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium next weekend in what has become an even more pivotal fixture.

The current standings show Arsenal on 70 points from 32 games with a goal difference of plus 38, while City sit on 61 points from 30 matches with plus 32.

This defeat compounds recent cup exits against City and Southampton, continuing a troubling run of form at a critical juncture of the campaign.

Bournemouth's triumph extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 12 consecutive top-flight matches, establishing a new club record.

Some boos greeted the final whistle at the Emirates, though these were swiftly overwhelmed by jubilant celebrations from the travelling supporters.

Kroupi's opener marked his 10th Premier League goal of the season.

He is among the elite company for teenage scorers in a debut campaign.

Only Robbie Fowler in 1993-94 and Robbie Keane in 1999-2000 have netted more frequently as teenagers in their first Premier League season, both finishing with 12 goals.

Myles Lewis-Skelly earned rare praise among Arsenal's underperforming players.