Bukayo Saka stinks, Declan Rice awesome – Arsenal player ratings v Bournemouth

Arsenal’s title dreams suffered a devastating blow at the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta’s men were handed a shocking 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth. On what was expected to be a routine win in front of their home crowd, the Gunners stumbled at the most critical stage of the season.

Declan Rice gave Arsenal fans a moment of hope with a superb opening goal in the first half, suggesting the Gunners were well on course to secure all three points. The English midfielder was dominant in the midfield, flying into tackles and pushing his team forward — a performance worthy of the captain’s armband. Yet, despite his brilliance, Arsenal collapsed in the second half.

A towering header from young defender Dean Huijsen, a player reportedly on Chelsea’s radar, stunned the home crowd as Bournemouth clawed their way back into the game. The goal, though brilliant in its execution, highlighted Arsenal’s vulnerability on set pieces, something that has plagued them throughout the campaign.

Worse was to come. Just minutes after the equalizer, Bournemouth pounced again through striker Evanilson. It was a messy goal — the kind that elite teams simply should not concede — and while Raya managed to get a hand to it, the Spaniard was unable to keep it out. His reaction said it all: head dropped, hands on hips, frustration pouring out in silence.

With the title slipping out of reach, Arsenal’s grip on second place is now in serious danger. Manchester City and Newcastle United both have games in hand, and their form suggests they could leapfrog the Gunners if Arteta’s side fails to bounce back immediately.

Defensively, Arsenal looked shaky. William Saliba was among the better performers at the back, composed and strong in duels, but his efforts alone weren’t enough to hold Bournemouth at bay. Jakub Kiwior, in contrast, endured a torrid time. The Polish defender struggled to cope with Bournemouth’s pace on the break and lacked the positional awareness required at this level.

Ben White, making his return to the starting lineup, seemed out of rhythm. The right-back misjudged several passes and was caught out of position on multiple occasions. His substitution in the closing stages, replaced by Zinchenko, was more a reflection of his ineffectiveness than a tactical move.

In midfield, Thomas Partey’s poor form continued. He gave the ball away too often and failed to offer the physical presence expected of him. The Ghanaian has not looked the same since returning from injury, and fans are beginning to question whether he should be starting in such high-stakes fixtures.

Captain Martin Ødegaard was another disappointment. He did provide an assist for Rice’s goal, but beyond that, he failed to influence the game and lacked the leadership spark required when his team needed a response.

The forward line offered little threat. Bukayo Saka, normally a beacon of brilliance on the right flank, was anonymous. He had a few moments early in the second half where he drove into the box, but his influence faded quickly. Substituted late on for youngster Ethan Nwaneri, it was clear the night had not gone his way.

Leandro Trossard also failed to deliver. The Belgian attacker, often clinical in tight games, found himself crowded out and was unable to get meaningful shots on target. His movements were predictable, and Bournemouth dealt with him comfortably.

Gabriel Martinelli was perhaps the only bright spark in the front line. He constantly drove down the left wing and caused problems for the Bournemouth defence. However, without support and with little service in dangerous areas, his efforts led to no reward. His substitution for Raheem Sterling in the final minutes raised eyebrows — particularly given how ineffective Saka and Trossard had been.

Mikel Arteta, under increasing pressure, looked distraught on the sidelines. His substitutions — bringing in Sterling, Zinchenko, Merino, and Nwaneri — did little to swing momentum back in Arsenal’s favor. Merino, who came on for Rice, was particularly poor, offering no urgency or direction in midfield.

As the full-time whistle blew, boos echoed around the Emirates. Arsenal fans, who once dreamed of lifting the Premier League trophy, were left to process the harsh reality of another late-season collapse. The defeat not only hands Liverpool a clearer path to the title but also reopens old wounds about Arsenal’s mental strength in pressure moments.

The loss will also cast doubts on Arteta’s ability to rally his players ahead of the crucial second leg against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. A domestic collapse and European elimination could turn a once-promising season into one of bitter disappointment.

Moreover, with players like Gabriel Magalhães still sidelined, Arteta must quickly find solutions both in personnel and in tactics. His decision to bench certain regulars or keep faith in struggling stars like Partey and Kiwior is now under heavy scrutiny.

There’s also growing concern about the lack of goal threat in recent matches. For all of Arsenal’s attacking potential, they are simply not converting enough chances. Without Rice’s drive from midfield, the team looks devoid of firepower.

In the post-match press conference, Arteta offered few answers. He pointed to refereeing inconsistencies and a few missed opportunities, but fans are no longer satisfied with excuses. The season is slipping away, and unless drastic improvements are made, the Gunners could be looking at a third-place finish or worse.

Arsenal now faces an uphill battle. Their final few fixtures will determine not just their position in the league, but perhaps the future of some players — and maybe even the manager.