Bournemouth 2–0 Arsenal
by Layth Yousif
at Dean Court

CONSPIRACIES and controversy raged on the south coast, but as the dust settled on a damaging defeat for Mikel Arteta’s Premier League title chasing team, kudos and credit had to go to Bournemouth, and it must be said, VAR.

Two second-half goals, from Ryan Christie and a Justin Kluivert penalty, were enough to inflict the first defeat of Arsenal’s campaign on a contentious afternoon at Dean Court.

Wrangling, arguments and strife ignited on Saturday evening after William Saliba was sent off in the first half, making it three red cards in eight games for Arsenal this term. 

In a pivotal moment on the half hour, the Gunners French centre-back was initially fortunate to only be handed a yellow when tussling with Cherries No 9 Evanilson — prior to VAR instructing referee Robert Jones to check the monitor, with the official changing his mind and correctly expelling the French centre-back, after tangling with the former Porto striker. 

While the decision was correct, as was the judgement that the Cherries’ 25-year-old Brazil-born attacker was onside after Leandro Trossard’s poor ball back into his own half, many Arsenal supporters, as well as perplexed neutrals, questioned the process that led to the decision, with Howard Webb shown in the stands on his phone moments before VAR instructed Jones to head to the touchline monitor. 

The travelling support certainly let the world know their dissatisfaction with PGMOL, and Webb, who is the body’s chief refereeing officer, aiming a series of angry chants at the beleaguered body. 

However, seeking clarity during discussions on Saturday with a well-placed PGMOL source, it was confirmed to this correspondent that Webb was simply listening to communications from the match officials, the on-field team, and when the VAR team engaged with them, insisting that the audio between VAR and on-field officials is the same that all broadcasters can listen to.

The source also confirmed Webb had absolutely no input, or option to talk to any of the officials, as per standard protocol with all management and coaches at matches.

Speaking after the match, Arteta wisely chose not to ramp up the fury, reflecting on the defeat by saying: “A very sad evening, very disappointed with the result, it was a really tough context again. 

“It’s hard enough to play here 11 against 11, we made life very difficult for ourselves again, playing for 60-70 minutes with 10 men but I cannot fault the effort of the players, how much they wanted, how much they tried.”

Earlier, the Gunners boss selected Raheem Sterling to start on the wing, while Arteta also reinstated Ben White to right-back, with Mikel Merino making his first start, as the visitors also aired their purple and mauve third kit for the first time this season. 

After Saliba’s expulsion, the 28-year-old Merino fired narrowly wide on 34 minutes, as Arteta reshuffled his pack, by withdrawing the unfortunate Sterling, in favour of Jakub Kiwior in a bid to shore up the depleted backline.

As the game opened up, Antoine Semenyo tested David Raya with a fierce drive, as the visitors reeled in the aftermath of Saliba’s sending off. Moments later, the Spanish keeper spilt Semenyo's cross, before the ball was eventually cleared, after Raya blocked Marcus Tavernier’s follow-up. 

At the half-time whistle, a visibly furious Gabriel berated the officials, with many in the away end incandescent at the decision to upgrade Saliba’s yellow to a red. 

Yet, while Webb’s optics looked terrible in front of the 11,235 in attendance, not to mention the millions watching on around the world, conspiracy theories were wide of the mark

What had far more veracity, was the fact Andoni Iraola’s side were intent on erasing memories of Arsenal’s 4-0 rout at the same stadium last term, with Arteta’s former Basque schoolfriend determined to capitalise on the extra man, that saw Semenyo fire over 60 seconds after the restart.

In a keenly contested match, where fine margins were to make the difference, substitute Gabi Martinelli saw his shot blocked by Kepa, after the former Chelsea keeper lost possession in the box with 22 minutes remaining. 

The miss was to prove costly. Two minutes later, Christie steered his left-footed shot past Raya to put the Cherries 1-0 up with 20 minutes remaining, following a superb set-piece move involving substitute Kluivert astutely flicking on Lewis Cook's low ball into the penalty area.

As the Cherries dominated, Semenyo fired over with a powerful drive after Thomas Partey lost possession. 

Moments later referee Jones awarded a penalty after Raya brought down an onrushing Evanilson, after Kiwior lost possession.  

Up stepped Kluivert to coolly send Raya the wrong way with his spot-kick to double the home side's lead on 79 minutes and seal victory for Iraola’s side. 

Speaking after the match, Iraola said: “Evanilson made the difference,” adding: “I think it was a red card.”

With a challenging set of fixtures hurtling towards Arteta, including hosting Liverpool, before tough trips to Newcastle and Chelsea, sandwiched by a Champions League visit to play Inter Milan in the mighty San Siro, Arsenal simply cannot afford any further underwhelming displays. 

As for Iraola’s impressive Cherries, who moved up to tenth spot, one ahead of Manchester United no less, Aston Villa and Manchester City await. 

The Premier League juggernaut is relentless, as is the drama and excitement. 

Just don’t question its honesty — even if, in light of the still unresolved 115 charges hanging over Manchester City, many fans remain steadfastly dubious regarding credibility issues, and will remain so until the verdict is finally handed down.