Bournemouth blow title race wide open with victory at nervous Arsenal

Bournemouth blew the Premier League title race wide open as they beat a nervous Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta called on the Arsenal fans to be ready for the lunchtime kick-off, but the message didn't get to his players as they put in a sluggish and nervy performance to miss the chance to go 12 points clear at the top of the table.

Junior Kroupi gave Bournemouth a deserved lead (17) before Viktor Gyokeres (35) hit Arsenal's equaliser from the penalty spot after Ryan Christie blocked Gabriel Magalhaes' shot with his hand.

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Arteta threw on Eberechi Eze, Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard in a bid to ignite his side but it was Bournemouth who looked the more likely to get a winner, and it came through Alex Scott (74) as the visitors celebrated a second straight win at the Emirates.

'Second again' was the chant from the visiting fans at the end of game and that may now become a reality after such a lacklustre performance from the Gunners. Rarely has a nine-point lead at the top looked so fragile.

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Image: Alex Scott celebrates after restoring Bournemouth's lead

Man City, who have two games in hand on the Gunners, have the chance to cut the lead at the top to just six points when they visit Chelsea, live on Sky Sports (kick off 4.30pm) on Sunday.

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