WILLIAM SALIBA’S controversial red card sent Arsenal tumbling to a shock Prem loss.
Saliba went for a professional foul on the half-hour, before Ryan Christie’s brilliant 71st-minute finish and Justin Kluivert’s cool penalty clinched Bournemouth’s win.
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Arsenal were seeking their 2,000th win in the top flight – a total second only to Liverpool.
But after a tight start that looked unlikely as Saliba picked up a controversial first-ever sending-off – mainly thanks to Leandro Trossard’s poor pass helping to put Evanilson in down the middle.
The centre-back brought the Brazilian down near the centre circle as the Bournemouth attacker threatened to burst completely clear.
And ref Rob Jones sent him off after VAR asked him to look at the pitchside monitor.
Antoine Semenyo went close for the Cherries, but it appeared the Gunners were largely looking comfortable.
Indeed, Arsenal were still having plenty of possession – only for the Cherries to strike twice in five minutes.
First Bournemouth gave the Gunners a taste of their own set-piece medicine.
Lewis Cook rifled a low corner just inside the box, Kluivert dummied it and Christie thumped a sidefooter high past rooted Arsenal keeper David Raya.
And five minutes later Kluivert’s cool penalty made it safe for Bournemouth.
Jakob Kiwior underhit a backpass, leading to Raya upending Evanilson.
VAR ruled Raya should NOT be sent off, but Kluivert promptly sent him the wrong way from the penalty spot.
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