Arsenal shocked by Bournemouth

LONDON:

Arsenal suffered their first Premier League defeat since April when William Saliba’s red card triggered a shock 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, while Manchester United eased the pressure on Erik ten Hag as they struggled to beat Brentford by 2 to 1.

Mikel Arteta’s side began the campaign on a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but that run was halted in controversial circumstances on the south coast.

Arsenal defender Saliba was sent off after half an hour for a professional foul on Evanilson, who was initially booked with a yellow card before being upgraded to a red card following a VAR review.

The Gunners finally broke in the closing stages when Ryan Christie put Bournemouth ahead.

Justin Kluivert’s penalty ensured Arsenal would lose for the first time in the league since their 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in April.

It was a blow for Arsenal, who would have gone top with a win but will now have to face title rivals Liverpool next weekend without the suspended Saliba.

Third-placed Arsenal will be four points behind Liverpool if the leaders beat Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.

“It’s very difficult to win in the Premier League with 10 players in 60 minutes, it’s just an accident waiting to happen,” Arteta said.

“We had to go through that in three games and it cost us the game.”

United manager Ten Hag defiantly blasted “fairy tales and lies” about his future at the club on Friday as the manager insisted he was not in danger of being sacked.

But the 54-year-old is believed to be fighting to save his job after presiding over United’s worst start to a top-flight season since 1989-90.

Ten Hag was certainly on the verge of being sent off after Brentford pounced to take the lead in first-half stoppage time when Ethan Pinnock met a corner with a powerful header.