DECLAN RICE slammed his Arsenal team-mates for “naive” and “silly” errors – after a THIRD red-card nightmare of the Prem season.
Gunners defender William Saliba’s controversial 30th-minute sending-off left boss Mikel Arteta admitting his side’s ill-discipline was “an accident waiting to happen”.
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Arsenal never recovered from Saliba’s dismissal – after a VAR intervention – for fouling Evanilson as the Bournemouth star appeared to be through on goal.
Arteta’s side have only dropped points this season in games when they have gone down to ten men.
And Rice raged: “We’ve kicked ourselves in the foot three times in eight games and we got away with it at home to Brighton and away at Manchester City.
“I am proud of the players for fighting but the naivety, we need to stop making mistakes as you want 11 players for 90 minutes.
“We can’t make silly mistakes. You need all your best players on the pitch at all times. The belief is so high and we will stick together.
“This is football — whatever happens, the most important thing is you stick together.”
Late goals by Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert via a penalty – after David Raya fouled Evanilson – gave the Cherries a stunning win and KO’d Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season.
Arteta was forced to drag an angry Kai Havertz away from the officials at full-time, but the Arsenal boss insisted the blame lay at their own door.
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Ref Robert Jones initially gave Saliba a yellow for dragging down Evanilson just inside his own half but Stockley Park urged a review to suggest a red.
Arteta, whose side are third and one point behind leaders Liverpool, said: “It was an impossible task. An accident waiting to happen not getting the points.
“I can’t fault the team. It was a decision made on the pitch.
“That decision was changed — and it won’t change twice.
“We need to play 11 with 11. We got away with it twice, but we have to accept it, move on.”
Arsenal played with ten against Brighton and Manchester City – drawing 1-1 and 2-2 respectively having taken the lead after Rice and Leandro Trossard were red-carded.
Saliba misses Sunday’s clash with Liverpool after a career-first dismissal.
Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth
By Alex Crook
TEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.
The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.
But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.
Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.
Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.
Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.
DAVID RAYA – 5
Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.
BEN WHITE – 4
England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 3
Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.
GABRIEL – 5
Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.
DECLAN RICE – 5
Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.
RAHEEM STERLING – 4
Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.
MIKEL MERINO – 5
Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.
SUBSTITUTES
Jakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4
Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5
Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) – N/A
Ethan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) – N/A
PGMOL chief Howard Webb was seen in the stands with an earpiece in and using his phone.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher tweeted: “Was Webb involved in the decision-making of the red card for Saliba??” before quickly deleting the post.
It is understood Webb was listening to communications from the officials and VAR team, which is standard procedure, and had no input.
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola said: “It was quite a mature win because it is tricky playing against ten.
“We had to control the game, attack, but don’t lose our minds as they can be a threat still.”