Kluivert secures Bournemouth win from the penalty spot as Arsenal rue Saliba Red | Premier League

Arsenal's luck was bound to run out sooner or later. Mikel Arteta's side finally gave up on their unbeaten start to the season after William Saliba was sent off – his third red card in the first eight games – as Bournemouth celebrated a famous win thanks to goals from substitutes Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert.

It was a night to remember for their manager Andoni Iraola, who saw his enterprising side record their first win over a side in the top half of the table since defeating Manchester United in December. The fact that it was against Arteta – who grew up in the same youth team in San Sebastián – made it particularly nice. But with Bukayo Saka not making the trip to the south coast, Arsenal appeared to be lacking inspiration even before Saliba's red card tipped the scales.

Arteta admitted before kick-off that “there was no point in pushing Saka” with games against Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool coming up after he returned early from England with a hamstring injury. That meant Raheem Sterling was carried over from the win over Southampton before the international break and Mikel Merino made his first start in midfield. Ben White also made a timely return in defence, while Bournemouth made three changes from their disappointing defeat to Leicester last time out.

Iraola acknowledged this week that while expected goals data suggested they should finish fourth in the table, the onus was on his players to “become a more efficient team.” They made their intentions clear from the start here, with Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier deployed in attacking roles to support center forward Evanilson and Riccardo Calafiori having to clear a dangerous early free-kick from Lewis Cook.

A clever move from Sterling after another Bournemouth corner almost gave Arsenal their first chance, but Leandro Trossard couldn't quite break free. David Raya was then lucky that his erratic pass to Scott didn't result in a goal as Antoine Semenyo shot over from distance.

Iraola and Arteta spent most of the first half hour talking to each other on the edge of their technical zones as both teams canceled each other out in a battle in midfield.

But the game suddenly came to life when Trossard accidentally played the ball over his own defense, bringing down Saliba Evanilson as the Brazilian raced towards goal. A red card appeared to be the likely outcome, although referee Robert Jones initially only warned the French defender. However, as PGMOL boss Howard Webb watched from the stands, VAR thought otherwise and Saliba was sent off. He will now be missing when Liverpool visit the Emirates next Sunday.

Merino almost made the breakthrough after good work from Sterling before the England striker was sacrificed for Jakub Kiwior to strengthen the defense. Semenyo had already forced Raya into a good save at his near post by this point and Tavernier should have opened the scoring with his cross after Raya initially fumbled before recovering and blocking the shot. Meanwhile, Arsenal supporters made their dissatisfaction clear with several chants aimed at Webb and other perceived injustices.

Semenyo should have done better with a golden chance that fell to him 90 seconds after the restart following a clever backheel from Milos Kerkez. But having already played with 10 men for most of the 90 minutes in draws against Brighton and Manchester City earlier this season, Arsenal showed once again that it is not easy to break even with Saliba missing from the center of their defence .

Any breakthrough seemed to come down Arsenal's right side as Dango Ouattara continually caused White problems. So it was a surprise to see him make way when Iraola made three changes just after the hour mark, while Gabriel Martinelli scored almost immediately from the bench when his final-minute cross was cleared by Marcos Senesi. Kepa Arrizabalaga had his heart in his throat as he passed the ball straight to Merino, but the Bournemouth goalkeeper redeemed himself by parrying Martinelli's shot.

In their next attack, Bournemouth finally found what they were looking for. A clever short corner from Lewis Cook was deflected by Justin Kluivert and Christie was able to finish with confidence.

Semenyo could have doubled his lead after Arsenal failed to clear another corner but failed to direct his shot on target. They didn't have to wait long, however, as a subtle back pass from Jakub Kiwior led to Raya bringing down Evanilson in the box and Kluivert stepping up from the penalty spot to leave Arsenal licking their wounds.