Declan Rice said Arsenal’s “naivety” cost them dearly as they sank to a first defeat of the season after William Saliba was sent off against Bournemouth.
Arsenal had won 10 of their 12 previous away Premier League games in 2024 before their visit to the south coast but were undone by two goals from Bournemouth substitutes Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert in the second half. Saliba was initially shown a yellow card for bringing down Evanilson before it was upgraded to red by VAR. Television footage showed the PGMOL chief Howard Webb at the Vitality Stadium listening to an earpiece as VAR made the decision, although it is understood that he was just listening in to the comms from the match officials.
