Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth: Player ratings as dismal Gunners crumble against Cherries

Arsenal looked completely off it as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Bournemouth to edge closer to a complete collapse in the Premier League title race.

Mikel Arteta made three changes to the side that won 1-0 at Sporting in midweek. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli were brought in after their combination for the late winner while Myles Lewis-Skelly was given the chance at left back. Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapié returned from injury to be named on the bench.

Bournemouth took the lead after 15 minutes when Adrien Truffert was played in down the left side to send a low cross into the box that deflected off William Saliba to loop to the back post where Junior Kroupi tapped in.

The Gunners struggled to create any real chances and relied on set pieces with their chance at an equaliser coming from a dead ball situation. Noni Madueke played a low corner in that Gabriel picked up at the near post to lift an effort toward goal that was blocked by Ryan Christie's arm.

Michael Oliver pointed to the spot to award Arsenal a penalty that Viktor Gyökeres stepped up to take and fire past Djordje Petrovic to level matters ahead of half-time.

The team came out for the second-half unchanged, but it only took 10 minutes for Arteta to have seen enough and make a triple changes. Max Dowman, Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard were brought off the bench to replace Madueke, Havertz and Martinelli.

Arsenal constantly tried to grab the second, but failure to build attacks cost them and they eventually fell behind once again with 15 minutes to play.

Bournemouth played a quick move that no Gunner could get anywhere near, allowing Alex Scott to race onto the ball and fire past Raya, restoring his side's lead and putting the hosts in real danger of another collapse in the title race.

Scott's strike proved to be decisive as Arsenal failed to fight back and fell to their fourth defeat of the season. Despite still being nine points clear at the top, the Gunners' chances of winning the title are in serious danger as City have an extra two games to play.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their dismal defeat to Bournemouth.

Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 5/10 - Got away with one early in the second-half when his attempted clearance bounced off Evanilson. Very shaky with the ball at his feet.

Ben White (RB) - 6/10 - Relatively steady down the right side but plenty did come his way with the opener coming from a break-in on his flank. Taken off with 15 minutes to play.

William Saliba (CB) - 6/10 - Unfortunate for Truffert's cross to hit him and deflect over to the back post for the opener.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 6/10 - Won a penalty when his effort was blocked by a hand. Seemed to suffer a head injury late on, but stayed on the pitch.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 6/10 - Didn't face much down his side and got up the pitch, but in repeat of this season's appearances, didn't capitalise on his opportunity dramatically.

Midfielders

Martin Zubimendi (CM) - 3/10 - Sloppily gave the ball away on a number of occasions. Far from his best against the Cherries. Taken off in a late roll of the dice.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7.5/10 - Caused plenty of problems with his set piece deliveries. Looked like the only player desperate to get the win at times.

Kai Havertz (AM) - 5.5/10 - Headed over from close range after meeting Rice's corner. Picked the ball up in good positions, but frustratingly didn't do anything with it. Subbed off in the second-half.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 5.5/10 - Confined to the flank as he failed to get anything out of Truffert. Caused no real problems with his set piece deliveries and was taken off shortly after half-time.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 6.5/10 - Pulled his side level with a well taken effort from the penalty spot. Did well to win fouls in attacking areas. Looked absent in the second-half other than scoring a goal that was clearly offside.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 5.5/10 - Didn't have much service, but failed to do anything spectacular when he did have the ball. Withdrawn after 55 minutes.

Substitutes

• Leandro Trossard (on 54' for Martinelli) - 6.5/10
• Eberechi Eze (on 54' for Havertz) - 5.5/10
• Max Dowman (on 54' for Madueke) - 5.5/10
• Cristhian Mosquera (on 76' for White) - 6/10
• Gabriel Jesus (on 76' for Zubimendi) - 5.5/10

Arsenal player of the match: Declan Rice