Muddled Arsenal finding new ways to torture themselves as Bournemouth ramp up title angst

A chilly reception today at the Emirates, but could Arsenal warm the cockles? : Picture by @YTJourno

Premier League

Arsenal (1) 1 Gyokeres pen 35

Bournemouth (1) 2 Kroupi 17, Scott 74

There is something all too grimly predictable about all this now. Arsenal have let Man City take back control of their own destiny after another bafflingly abject display that got what it deserved.

Too ponderous. Too predictable. Prone to playing themselves into trouble at the back. Full of clumsy touches. Nervous as hell. And nothing like champions elect. The Gunners have become terrible just when they needed to be at least moderately competent.

Tomorrow, they will be praying that Chelsea can do them a favour by taking points off Man City at Stamford Bridge, but in all likelihood, defeat here - a continuation of the strangely diffident walking-pace defeats in the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup - is a continuation of the season's hurtle towards a sad obituary.

Andoni Iraola was at St Mary's last week to see how Championship Saints could get at the Gunners and the Cherries boss devised a simple pressing plan which had the home side at sixes and sevens from the word go. They struggled to play through the advanced pressure points and had to launch it long, where possession was usually lost.

It may only be the second time they have lost at home this season but the impact is devastating.

The 'Second again, ole, ole' taunts from the away end are an all-too familiar refrain these days.

Arsenal conceded first when the impressive Ryan Christie played the ball out wide to Adrien Truffert for a cross which looped off the boot of William Saliba to fall perfectly to Junior Kroupi at the far post and the teenager volleyed home.

The Gunners grabbed a lifeline when Gabriel tried to hook a ball into danger after a corner and it struck Christie's raised hand. Viktor Gyokeres put away the penalty with a perfect hit into the corner to bring relief.

But Arsenal failed to make the most of the reprieve and were no better after the break in spite of a triple substitution made by Mikel Arteta to try and shake things up.

Max Dowman, like Noni Madueke before him, was smothered by Truffert. Leandro Trossard was equally unable to get the better of Alex Jimenez. Eberechi Eze's hopes of creating chances faded.

The Cherries were only intermittently threatening but they made no mistake with the one good opening they fashioned - sub David Brooks playing the ball inside to the fleet footed Alex Scott, who stayed composed to beat David Raya with a clinical finish.

Even with 15 minutes still to go, it was hard to see a way back for Arsenal, given how poorly they were playing. It is also true that the Cherries are no mugs these days and are now unbeaten in 12 - a club record - since they were beaten by Arsenal at the Vitality in January.

This was as sobering as it gets and a continuation of an unfolding slow-motion nightmare for all at the Emirates. The sense of dread will be engulfing them again.

Gunners: (4-2-3-1) Raya - White (Mosquera 76), Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly - Zubimendi (Jesus 76), Rice - Madueke (Dowman 54), Havertz (Eze 54), Martinelli (Trossard 54) - Gyokeres

Cherries: (4-2-3-1) Petrovic - Jimenez (Smith 90), Hill, Sensini, Truffert - Scott, Christie (Adams 70) - Rayan (Brooks 70), Tavernier, Kroupi (Toth 85) - Evanilson (Unai 90)