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Premier League | Gameweek 26

Mar 4, 2023 at 3pm UK

Emirates Stadium

Arsenal
3 - 2
Bournemouth

Partey (62'), White (70'), Nelson (90+7')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Billing (1'), Senesi (57')
Neto (64'), Mepham (86')

Mikel Arteta: 'Reiss Nelson is on a different level'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 March 2023

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claims that Reiss Nelson is "on a different level" after his dramatic late winner off the bench against Bournemouth.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that Bournemouth hero Reiss Nelson is "on a different level" following his last-gasp winner in an exhilarating 3-2 win over the Cherries.

The Gunners left it incredibly late to defeat their inspired visitors, who only needed nine seconds to take the lead through Philip Billing while fans were still taking their seats.

Three minutes before the hour, Marcos Senesi headed home to double Bournemouth's lead in front of the away end, ostensibly dealing Arsenal a sickening blow in the Premier League title race.

However, Thomas Partey cut the deficit in half just five minutes later, and Ben White volleyed home at the back stick approaching the dying embers to wipe out Bournemouth's shock two-goal lead.

With seven minutes of added time on the clock, substitute Nelson - who set up White's equaliser - sent a stunning half-volley into the far corner to secure a sensational win for Arsenal, who remain five points clear of Manchester City at the summit.

Arsenal celebrate Reiss Nelson's goal against Bournemouth on March 4, 2023 © Reuters

Despite being a bit-part player during an injury-hit campaign, Nelson has proven invaluable off the bench for Arsenal, having also scored a brace and provided an assist in their 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest earlier in the season.

Speaking in his post-game press conference, Arteta ran out of superlatives to describe the 23-year-old, saying: "I always saw the potential, the talent and the desire for him to do it, but he's at a different level right now.

"I think emotionally, the experiences that he had helped him. Football-wise, it was my decision in the last two games not to play him because we had other options.

"But he was knocking on the door, he's been training really good and it's a good lesson for me and for the coaches that we need him and that he can be really important for the team."

Reflecting on his emotions when Nelson's strike found the far corner, Arteta admitted that he lost himself in the moment, and he believes that the Englishman's late winner provided the most emotional moment that the Emirates has ever seen.

Ben White celebrates scoring for Arsenal on March 4, 2023 © Reuters

"It's probably the loudest and the most emotional moment that we have lived together. The journey that we've been on together and how the supporters and the players are gliding together. Adding into that moment, it's really special," Arteta added.

"You lose sight of where you are. I didn't know where I was running to. But just looking at the faces of everybody, our staff, the players, all the supporters. The smiles and all that joy in their eyes, it's just great to live.

"I do believe in fate. It was an extraordinary day and a beautiful experience at the end. Dramatic but worth living it because there was the greatest end to it."

However, thoughts were spared for Leandro Trossard, who was forced off with an injury after just 22 minutes, and Arteta did not have much positive news to report on the Belgian's condition.

"It is a worry. He came to me and said I cannot continue I felt something when I was tracking back after the corner. We had to take him off and we have to assess him and see how he is," Arteta said on Trossard.

Arsenal now turn their attention to continental matters, with the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Sporting Lisbon taking place on Thursday.