The best wins are those that come in the final seconds of a game. The best victories are the ones no one expected. Arsenal are behind after less than ten seconds, and they win deep in injury time. Will the Gunners really become champions now?
Leaders Arsenal have conceded one of the fastest goals in league history and ended up two goals behind in a last-minute win against AFC Bournemouth. The Londoners fought 3: 2 (0: 1) against the relegation candidates in the English Premier League on Saturday. Reiss Nelson scored the goal in the seventh minute of injury time at the Emirates Stadium in the acclaimed victory for the leaders. Thomas Partey (62nd) and Ben White (70th) had previously scored for the Gunners.
"It's so incredible," said Nelson, who was on loan to Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim in the 2018/2019 season: "It's a big moment for me. I've always been here and it means everything to me. I'm just happy now. " Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was similarly "reserved" after the game. "I'm so incredibly happy," he said. "These feelings of happiness now. It was a special win and it took until the last second to get it. I'm proud of the players. They never gave up."
Philip Billing had taken the lead for Bournemouth after just 9.11 seconds. It was the second fastest goal in league history - Shane Long scored in 2019 after just 7.69 seconds for Southampton FC against Watford FC. Marcos Senesi (57th) then even increased for the guests. But Arsenal's attacking pressure was ultimately too high for second-bottom Bournemouth.
The win keeps Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City. The defending champion had previously won 2-0 (1-0) against Newcastle United and increased the pressure on Arsenal. After the last five away games in a row, the hosts took the lead with German international İlkay Gündoğan at the Etihad Stadium after 15 minutes through Phil Foden. Bernardo Silva scored the second goal (67th).
Meanwhile, three days before the second leg of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea took a small step out of the crisis. The Blues prevailed 1-0 (0-0) against Leeds United, who were in danger of relegation. France's Wesley Fofana (53rd minute) scored at London's Stamford Bridge for Chelsea, who had previously gone six consecutive competitive games without a win and lost back-to-back in the league. In the table, however, nothing changed for Chelsea. Coach Graham Potter's team remain in tenth place.
