Last-gasp Reiss Nelson screamer completes Arsenal comeback

Reiss Nelson completed a late, late Arsenal comeback to help the Gunners secure all three points at home to Bournemouth.

It was a game bookended by two goals. In the first nine seconds, the Cherries took the lead after the second-fastest-ever Premier League goal only to concede a stoppage-time winner with what was one of the last kicks of the game.

Indeed, Arsenal’s first touch of the ball was when Aaron Ramsdale picked it out of his net. A well-rehearsed kick-off routine resulted in Billing tapping the ball into the net from close range almost instantly.

Arsenal were in full control from minute one onwards, while Bournemouth looked to hit with pace on the counter.

In the first half the home side accumulated 86% of possession and had 14 shots compared to just two from the visitors but still managed to find themselves 1-0 down at the break.

The second half continued in a similar fashion but things got worse for Mikel Arteta’s team in the 57th minute.

Bournemouth’s first corner resulted in the second goal of the game. Marcos Senesi got the better of Thomas Partey in the Arsenal box and headed into the net.

Still, for all Arsenal’s dominance a comeback seemed inevitable and with just over an hour gone the home side began their comeback.

One of the Gunners’ many corners eventually came to fruition. Neto couldn’t clear with Emile Smith Rowe, a first-substitute for the injured Leandro Trossard, headed back across the face of goal for Partey to finish from close range.

The equaliser came not long after and from an unlikely source. Reiss Nelson had been on the pitch for barely a minute when he sent in a cross from the left that Ben White, another substitute, was on hand to score from. Neto did manage to make a save for White’s cross but the ball had already gone over the line.

Arsenal spent much of the rest of the game turning the screws as the Cherries’ back line sank deeper and deeper. There were also numerous calls for handballs against Bournemouth players that would have been harsh in the extreme.

@Getty /

The Gunners regain their five-point lead over Manchester City ahead of a trip to Craven Cottage next weekend (with a Europa League clash against Sporting in between). 

Meanwhile, Gary O’Neil will be gutted his side couldn’t hold just a few seconds longer to earn a point with his side still stuck in the relegation zone. 

xG: Arsenal (2.64) 3-2 (1.43) Bournemouth

A #PL comeback for the ages 😅#ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/yKtxKvXgRC

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 4, 2023