04 March 2023 , 17:52
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hailed his side's mentality after the Gunners came from two goals down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on a frantic afternoon at Emirates Stadium.
Bournemouth took a surprise lead in north London as Philip Billing fired home after just nine seconds. Although Arsenal responded well to going behind, it was the Cherries who doubled their advantage just after the break through Marco Senesi, who headed home from a corner.
However, the Gunners pulled one back as Thomas Partey struck before Benjamin White netted moments later to level the scores. And after a barrage of attacks, Arteta's men found the all-important winner in added time when Reiss Nelson scored from long-range in the 97th minute.
After the game, Arteta said, via BBC Sport : "I'm incredibly happy. It was just mad. Those feelings of happiness and joy. It was a really special way and it took until the last second to earn it. I am really proud of them [the players].
"They never gave up. There is nothing like sharing those great moments with your people. I'm so happy for him [Nelson]."
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Arteta admitted the dramatic victory was ultimately only worth the same three points as any other win in the title race, adding: "It's just another game, another three points. To win three games in a week [ Leicester, Everton, Bournemouth] is very important. We want to stay there [at the top] for as long as possible. There are still a lot of games to play but that’s the beauty of it."
Arsenal celebrate overturning a two goal deficit in their late 3-2 win over Bournemouth (AFP via Getty Images)The Gunners got off to a disastrous start inside the opening 10 seconds. Billing gave Bournemouth the lead in what proved to be the second-fastest goal in Premier League history - just behind Shane Long's strike for Southampton against Watford in April 2019.
Arteta's side responded well to going behind and had plenty of opportunities through the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, but just couldn't score. Gary O'Neill's men then hit the Gunners with a sucker punch in the 57th minute to further shock the home faithful. This time it was Senesi, who headed home from Joe Rothwell's corner.
But, like after the first goal, Arsenal fought back and pulled one back through Partey's strike. It seemed as though it was going to be when, not if, Arsenal were going to level from that point - and Arteta's men found an equaliser as White fired home his first for the club.
Reiss Nelson scored the winner for Arsenal (Getty Images)It was one-way traffic in the final 15 minutes, and as time wore on, Bournemouth looked like they were going to steal a point from the Emirates. However, their hopes were crashed in the seventh minute of added time when Nelson struck an unlikely winner.
Arteta added: "It was madness from the first second. We kept trying and dominating the game. We had a mountain to climb and we took it bit by bit.
"We had the hunger to go for the first goal. From then the atmosphere changed. Reiss Nelson hasn’t featured much because he has been injured. He comes on and puts in that performance. It was incredible to experience the emotion with the crowd. It's going to stick with us.
"I am going to remember this day for a few things. I loved the initiative, the courage, their personality and the way they made things happen. When its ugly and when its difficult, that’s what big teams do. We have to make it easier for ourselves. But this is the Premier League.
"The opponents are good and they make it hard for you. Now we have the Europa League – many games coming up. We’re going to need everyone at their best."