Bournemouth vs Arsenal RECAP: Slick Cherries beat 10-man Gunners after William Saliba is sent off in the first half

Mikel Arteta will be demanding a big response from his team and they certainly have some big games coming up.

Arsenal's next three Premier League fixtures are against Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea.

Those games will be punctuated by Champions League fixtures against Shakhtar and Inter Milan, as well as an EFL Cup clash with Preston.

Oct 22: Shakhtar (home)

Oct 27: Liverpool (home)

Oct 30: Preston (away)

Nov 2: Newcastle (away)

Nov 6: Inter Milan (away)

Nov 10: Chelsea (away)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Sky Sports:

On the result:

We are obviously very disappointed with the result and gutted because we have to play another game in that context. With 10 men for 60, 65 minutes at this level, it's just impossible. We tried very hard, had the biggest chance of the game with Martinelli. It is a game of errors, today we made two big ones. It is the third time we play with 10 players and it makes things very complicated.

On the red card:

It was a decision made on the pitch. That decision was changed. Now I don't think the decision is going to change again. So, decision made. Willy has never done anything like this but he doesn't do it on purpose. It happens. We have to accept it, move on, and have that pain we are feeling for Tuesday [against Shakhtar Donestsk]. It's a split-second decision you have to make. The striker is on his back. Obviously, he doesn't expect the ball to be coming in this way.

On VAR's intervention:

They have their own process. They decide to do it in their own way. That's it.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to Sky Sports:

It was quite a mature win because it is a tricky situation [playing against 10 players]. We started well for the first 30 minutes and then the red card changes the game. We had to control the game, attack but don't lose our minds as even with 10 men, set plays, free-kicks they can be a threat. Luckily for us we took the benefit of having one man more.

Before half-time we missed a couple of chances and at the beginning of the second half we managed not to finish, so we had to have patience to take the benefit of having one more player without losing our heads.

We were playing very well the first 30 minutes. It was a very level game, which is very good when you face this opposition. It became easier with 11 vs 10 but everything is not done, you have to finish the job and we did it.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice on Sky Sports:

We've kicked ourselves in the foot three times in eight games and we got away with it at home to Brighton and away at Manchester City. Bournemouth kept probing and made it 2-0. I'm proud of the players for fighting, even with 10 men, but the naivety, we need to stop making mistakes because you want 11 players for 90 minutes and that's what wins you football matches.

With 10 men we showed a lot of character and personality to stay in the game. The big chance was Martinelli's and the keeper read it and made a great save and one minute later, normally a routine we are so strong at, has done us.

We can't make silly mistakes. You need all your best players on the pitch at all times. The belief is so high and we will stick together. This is football, whatever happens the most important thing is that you stick together and stay in the right direction.

Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports:

Even before the red card, I thought Arsenal were sloppy, leggy, passive, all the things you don't want to see. It wasn't the Arsenal that we've been used to seeing this season. I can't remember Arsenal giving the ball away this many times at this stage of a game in a long time. They were wasteful, no-one was really getting hold of the ball. And it does make you think, and I really like [Martin] Odegaard, and he gives Arsenal a sense of control, how much they missed him today.

They missed [Bukayo] Saka, because as soon as the ball goes out to him, something can happen. Raheem Sterling is obviously a right-footed player, he's playing on the right side, he's not got that same flow that Saka offers you. Straight away, you look at that team sheet and think, right, we've got a real chance today, let's get after this Arsenal side - two of their biggest players aren't playing.

That midfield was, I would say, functional today. There was no-one that was going to give you that little bit of guile. And even when it went to 10 men, obviously they had the big Martinelli chance, but I didn't feel they had any ingredients to really unlock this Bournemouth side, and they just struggled all game. It was a really difficult evening for them. A lot of that is due to Bournemouth and how good they were, but I think Arsenal will be really disappointed.

If the season ends with another of those narrow misses for Arsenal then it is likely Mikel Arteta will shudder in his recollections of this trip south. Staring at an open window to the top of the table, his side stumbled hard into the frame.

It will be a while before we know the precise implications of what played out here, but any grievances with the officiating ought to be set against a far sharper truth – Arsenal got what they deserved and so did Bournemouth.

This was an outcome rooted in self-sabotage from one team and effective, devastating control of the circumstances from the other, which is a sentiment that applies equally to events before and after the game's decisive moment.

Click below to read the full match report.

Bournemouth scorer Ryan Christie on Sky Sports:

I was delighted to score, it has been a while. I was due one. Nice for the team when it is from a worked set-piece. Credit to the subs involved coming on and knowing their job, credit to Shaun Cooper who does our set pieces. The boys had spoken about it at half-time and it was about transferring to the subs when we came on. It was a wonderful touch round the corner from Justin. There were a lot of moving cogs, so credit to everyone that it came off.

Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports:

I thought Bournemouth were fantastic today. Great attitude, they played with intensity, they were good on the ball. I just like watching them play, you know. Especially with substitutions as a manager, you're trying to influence games. You know, 0-0, you bring on Christie, you bring on Kluivert, Sinisterra, you get the rewards.

I was so impressed with them today. They make it so difficult for teams. They earned that today with the intensity and they made Arsenal feel uncomfortable.

Almost forget the 10 v 11. The 11 v 11, that was when Bournemouth were very good. They forced issues, they forced problems and they were so good. And you know what, they deserve their result today.

David Raya made two saves today but he got nowhere near this spot-kick, which sealed all three points for the Cherries.

Justin Kluivert has now scored 10 goals since his arrival from Valencia.

This one deserves plenty of replays.

Don't be surprised if Mikel Arteta and Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover try to recreate it themselves later in the season.

Arsenal had not lost an away game in the Premier League this calendar year before today.

But they were well beaten by Bournemouth.

The Gunners actually had slightly more possession (51.6%).

But Bournemouth registered more than twice as many shots as their opponents (13-6) and also had more corners (7-4).

That's it! A great result for Bournemouth - only their second win over Arsenal in 17 attempts.

The Cherries climb into the top half of the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Arsenal stay third and could be four points off the summit if Liverpool win tomorrow.

Despite only being around 1,000 in number, the Arsenal supporters made plenty of noise during the first half.

They were still singing a 1-0 too but they now appear resigned to their team's fate.

A now-quiet away end is thinning out as the final whistle approaches.

Enes Unal replaces Evanilson, who has had a fine evening for Bournemouth.

He drew the foul that saw Saliba sent off in the first half, before winning the penalty moments ago.

A contender for the Player of the Match award?

Moments after his mistake led to the Bournemouth penalty, Jakub Kiwior - who was subbed on in the first half - is taken off.

Mikel Merino also departs as Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus come on.

Kluivert sends Raya the wrong way and Bournemouth are closing in on only their second-ever win over Arsenal.

The Cherries have been much the better side since Saliba's red card, having held their own before that.

Arsenal survive a VAR check for a possible penalty against Thomas Partey but moments later Bournemouth DO have a spot kick.

Jakub Kiwior's poor back-pass sets up Evanilson, who is clearly brought down by Raya.

No booking for Raya, but a huge chance for Bournemouth to potentially finish off the Gunners...

The set-piece kings are beaten at their own game as Bournemouth score from a slick corner routine.

Lewis Cook's low delivery finds Justin Kluivert, who backheels the ball for Ryan Christie to slam home in style.

One can only assume that the Sky Sports cameras would be pointed firmly at the Bournemouth set-piece coach right now... if they only knew his/her identity!

Iraola subbing off Dango Ouattara is a bizarre one.

We can only assume he’s tired, because otherwise it would make little sense – he had just skinned Ben White twice in the space of five minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli replaces Leandro Trossard for Arsenal.

An injection of pace to spearhead the Gunners' counter-attacks perhaps?

Three changes for the Cherries.

Off go Dango Ouattara, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier.

On come Ryan Christie, Justin Kluivert and Luis Sinisterra.

Antoine Semenyo becomes the first Bournemouth player to enter the referee's notebook.

He fouls Declan Rice then unnecessarily vents his frustration at Leandro Trossard.

Dango Ouattara is causing Arsenal plenty of problems down the Bournemouth left.

This is not the easy game Ben White may have been hoping for on his return to the Arsenal side.

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott on Sky Sports:

I think the decision is probably the right one, because now we're looking at a situation where we're actually going to be judging players pace.

I think, as well, when you look at this situation, when you're given any sort of any professional footballer now, and they're clean for own goal, it is a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Arsenal are arguably much more flexible than their title rivals when it comes to their style of play.

Mikel Arteta's men can play free-flowing football but also sit deep and grind.

They are doing the latter right now, while still looking to attack on the break.

The biggest chance of the game so far (other than the one Saliba denied Evanilson) falls to Antoine Semenyo, who smashes it into orbit.

Dango Ouattara gets in down the Gunners left and fizzes in a lowish cross.

Semenyo makes a very strong connection but he doesn't control his effort.

We are back underway at the Vitality Stadium.

Arsenal have not made any more substitutions during the interval.

But Adam Smith has replaced Julian Araujo for Bournemouth.

He really isn't 'that type of player'...

Before today, William Saliba had never been sent off in 157 league games.

However, his first red card will still result in a one-match suspension to be served against Liverpool on October 27.

Stats can be deceptive. Nevertheless, these stats make for encouraging reading if you are a Bournemouth fan.

Bournemouth had 50.1 per cent of the possession in that first half.

The Cherries registered seven shots, four more than Arsenal.

Two of Bournemouth's shots hit the target, while none of Arsenal's did.

Five of the six corners in the first half were taken by the home side.

Both teams committed four fouls, with only one card shown... but it was a significant one!

The referee's instinct was to show Saliba a yellow card.

After watching multiple replays, he changed his call to red.

Take a look for yourself. Did Saliba have to go?

Plenty for Mikel Arteta to think about at the break.

Arsenal were unable to get into top gear with 11 men and have looked a little wobbly since going down to 10.

This game is still in the balance but the Gunners will need a special second half if they are to get the three points they came for.

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith on the Saliba red card:

It is an instinctive challenge, he is a quick lad, but would he have had the pace to get back?

He may have got round on the cover but he had a lot of ground to cover, he really did.

That has certainly spiced things up...

Raheem Sterling is the man to be sacrificed as Jakub Kiwior comes on to shore up the Arsenal backline.

That's a shame for him and for the Gunners.

Sterling had arguably been Arsenal's sharpest attacking player so far tonight.

Despite going down to 10 men and losing one of their centre backs, Arsenal have not yet made a change of personnel.

Jakub Kiwior is warming up, though.

Referee Robert Jones is called over to the monitor.

After reviewing several replays, he rules that William Saliba DID deny Evanilson a scoring chance.

Saliba therefore becomes the third Arsenal player to be sent off this season.

William Saliba gets caught out of position and fouls Evanilson near the halfway line.

Bournemouth fans want a red card for the denial of a clear scoring opportunity.

The referee says yellow card.

However, the VAR is telling the official to wait...

Raheem Sterling gets the ball at his feet in the final third twice within the space of three minutes.

Neither run leads to a shot but a clipped cross briefly has Kepa sweating in the Bournemouth goal.

Arsenal have increased the speed of their passing recently and they are looking increasingly dangerous.

Not a huge chance but a pretty big error by the Arsenal keeper.

David Raya gives the ball away with a loose pass, presenting Bournemouth with a promising opportunity.

Alex Scott then tees up Antoine Semenyo, who misses the target from 25 yards.

Good pressing by the home team.

Arsenal are the Premier League's corner specialists but Bournemouth pass their first set-piece test of the night.

Declan Rice whips in a corner from the right and it's cleared at the second attempt with Gabriel and Co looming.

It's been a quiet start so far.

Arsenal have had most of the possession early on but the first attack of note is a Bournemouth one.

Ben White fouls Alex Scott on the Arsenal right, giving the Cherries a free-kick in a promising area.

The delivery is decent but the defending by Riccardo Calafiori is even better and Arsenal clear.

Both sets of players take a knee before the game gets underway amid roars of encouragement from all four modest stands at the Premier League's smallest stadium.

Chris Sutton is backing a 1-1 draw but I reckon Arsenal will have way too much for the Cherries in what is likely to be an open game.

I fancy the Gunners to go top in style tonight. I'm going to say 3-1 to Arteta's men.

Either way, we are about to find out...

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports about his decision not to select Bukayo Saka:

We tried the last few days but he didn't have the right feeling. There was no point pushing him and we have very good options as well.

Arteta on handing Mikel Merino his full debut:

He gives us a lot of options, very different qualities to Martin [Odegaard]. Hopefully [he will play] very good.

Arteta on Ben White returning from injury:

Especially [important] because we miss Jurrien [Timber] as well. Ben is back, he is in a good place and that is very good news.

Tonight's game at the Vitality Stadium will round off a busy day of Premier League action.

It started with Spurs thrashing West Ham, who scored first in North London.

Aston Villa, Leicester and Man United then also came from behind to win, while there were victories for Everton and Brighton too.

A win for Arsenal would take them top of the table, above Man City and Liverpool - who are both in action tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth will move into the top half (ahead of Man United) if they get three points tonight.

Tottenham 4-1 West Ham

Fulham 1-3 Aston Villa

Man United 2-1 Brentford

Newcastle 0-1 Brighton

Southampton 2-3 Leicester

Ipswich 0-2 Everton

Despite their injury issues, the bookies make Arsenal strong favourites to pick up three points today.

The Gunners have won their last five games against Bournemouth 3-0, 4-0, 3-2, 3-0 and 2-1.

Mikel Arteta's men are also unbeaten in all competitions this season (7 wins, 3 draws), while Bournemouth have recorded two wins, two draws and four losses.

Saka is not the only star player missing for Arsenal today.

With skipper Martin Odegaard also ruled out with an injury - an ankle issue - centre back Gabriel will wear the captain's armband.

Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Sensei, Kerkez; Cook, Scott; Tavernier, Dango, Semenyo, Evanilson

Subs: Travers, Hulsen, Brooks, Christie, Adams, Smith, Sinisterra, Kluivert, Unal

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Partey, Merino, Sterling, Trossard, Havertz

Subs: Setford, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Jesus, Kabia

Good afternoon! Arsenal have arrived on the South Coast for this evening's game but they are missing their star boy.

Mikel Arteta said yesterday that Saka's injury - sustained during England's recent defeat by Greece - was 'not serious'.

However, his absence today will feel like a big blow to Gunners fans.