Finally they had enough. Finally, Arsenal He battered Bournemouth door for the third time and scored another comeback win.
This time, however, Arsenal had to contend, rather than having to come in from behind twice as against Aston Villa or even come back one goal and then score again after backing out themselves as against Man United. returned from being two goals behind.
A period seemed like a hard-won and potentially important point. Two fell out, of course, but at the same time, a three-point gap with Man City was reopened and defeat averted, although the win was also missed. this is the scene Premier League A season in which every scoreline and 90-minute trip somehow feels like a missed opportunity and a vital show of endurance at the same time.
But then it came chief nelsonthe creator of the equalizer and then the winner’s scorer, a 20-minute cameo worth three points, and as a result, likely a more regular place on the team.
Because even though it’s the points on the table that matter, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta they can no longer rely on a very familiar-looking squad that has moved two-thirds of the way through the campaign; Injuries are starting to take hold, especially at the higher end of the pitch, and the second-row players are about to get more chances to showcase their quality.
Saturday afternoon, it was all about Nelson.
The winger has been marginalized the entire period, with just one Premier League start and barely more than an hour of playing time all season until he leaves that bench. Even in trophies, playing just five more times paints a picture of a player who is at best fifth place for one of the wide forward roles.
But when the injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah saw Leandro Trossard give a leading starting point, the Belgian acted early in this fixture, seeing a potential opening call for Nelson. Still, it wasn’t Arteta’s first stop.
Emile Smith Rowe has actually played fewer minutes than Nelson this season, with injury issues and groin surgery to follow, but he was confirmed in the middle of the first half after signing Trossard in January. Half-formed, blunt, and struggling to find space against a deep defense, Smith Rowe put on the equivalent of about half a game before he himself was knocked down.
Nelson, who scored his first minutes on the field since November 12, provided an equalizer in about 60 seconds.
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A blast in space from the left and a restrained, cropped middle to the far post, despite Neto’s best efforts, allowed Ben White to cross the line with enough contact on the ball. Two more times in the next 25 minutes, including the allotted injury time, Nelson again threatened to find the way, surmounting challenges and turning and delivering deliveries to attack.
But at the 97th minute, a half-open corner had to find its way to the eventual winner.
Bedlam, turmoil, five points open at the top.
Arteta and the coaching team will then take a measured look, of course, after the enthusiasm has passed. Arsenal needed to score three points to win, but it really could have been five: Bournemouth rejected the two-zero status in the first half and should have added another sucker punch to the counter.
And they are relegation contenders: can the same Arsenal side find a way to victory against the mid-ranked teams, from behind or otherwise? Competing in the top six? How about playing twice a week as the Europa League prepares to restart? Sporting CP expect midweek, then in-form Fulham – Liverpool will face Man City, Chelsea and Newcastle a month later.
Then there are the questions of others who can be called non-regulars.
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Fabio Vieira struggled to impress the game as Nelson shone and Smith Rowe was able to pass due to lack of condition. Takehiro Tomiyasu was roasted on the counter multiple times and fell into the water during the break. And now that Trossard is injured, Gabriel Martinelli will likely start as #9 if Nketiah doesn’t improve in the upcoming games – the Brazilian is an excellent player, but has not been regularly tried in a central role.
These are all questions and problems that will be resolved at a later date, in future matches.
Arsenal and Arteta will receive the confidence and congratulations after this impressive comeback win, more for the grit and determination to find a way than applause for style.
But perhaps the biggest lesson to be learned is which edge players are ready to step up in the busiest and most stressful time of the season and which need to level up to contribute, and whether Arsenal will compete as a campaign. goes to the wire and the absences continue to hit.