Mikel Arteta admitted Premier League leaders Arsenal had been “overwhelmed” by their emotionally draining 3-2 win towards Bournemouth on Sunday (AEDT).
Arteta’s aspect fell two objectives behind towards lowly Bournemouth earlier than battling again to safe an exhilarating victory which retains them 5 factors away from second positioned Manchester City.
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It is the primary time in over a decade that the Gunners have recovered from a two-goal deficit to win a league sport.
Thomas Partey and Ben White struck to made it 2-2 earlier than substitute Reiss Nelson netted deep into stoppage-time.
“Everybody is overwhelmed. It was insanity from the primary seconds with that routine and we defended so poorly,” Arteta mentioned.
“Then we needed to climb a mountain towards 10 males behind the ball. We tried in each single method, we didn’t rating and abruptly we’re 2-0 down from a set play.”
Bournemouth led by means of Philip Billing, who scored the second-fastest purpose in Premier League historical past as he turned house with simply 9.11 seconds on the clock.
Reiss Nelson’s 97th-minute winner sparked jubilant scenes amongst the Gunners. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
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Marcos Senesi doubled the benefit after the break on the Emirates Stadium, however Arsenal confirmed the angle of champions to safe a win that might show a defining second within the title race.
Nelson, 23, is out of contract this summer time and was launched off the bench for his first look since November 12, having additionally been sidelined with a thigh damage.
“It’s been a tough couple of months for me, simply getting back from damage and when that purpose went in it was a terrific second for me,” Nelson informed Sky Sports News.
“I’ve been right here all my life. It means rather a lot to me. It was a terrific strike. I’m delighted with the purpose and hope it’s the first of many.”
Nelson arrange White’s equaliser earlier than scoring an excellent 20-yard winner with the final significant kick of the competition as Arteta revealed he now has a range headache.
“I at all times noticed the potential (of Nelson). The expertise and the need for him to do it, however he’s at a special stage proper now. I believe emotionally, the experiences that he had helped him,” Arteta mentioned.
“Football-wise, it was my determination within the final two video games to not play him as a result of we had different choices.
“But he was knocking on the door. He’s been coaching actually good and it’s a great lesson for me and for the coaches that we want him and that he may be actually essential for the workforce.”
