AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe had mixed emotions following the 3-3 draw with Arsenal at Dean Court.
The end result is a good one, a point gained against one of the top sides in the Premier League.
But there will also be clear frustration as it came after the Cherries had rampaged their way towards all three points.
Charlie Daniels opened the scoring during the first half and just four minutes later, AFC Bournemouth had doubled their lead from the penalty spot when Callum Wilson scored after Ryan Fraser had been fouled.
Fraser then scored the Cherries third, before AFC Bournemouth once again had the ball in the back of the net only for referee Michael Oliver to controversially chalk it off for handball.
Two key knocks to Joshua King and Ryan Fraser came at a point of the game when Arsenal began to get more of a foothold in the match and Arsenal scored two goals through Alexis Sanchez and Lucas Perez.
With ten minutes remaining referee Oliver was taking the spotlight once again as he harshly sent off Simon Francis.
Arsenal were pushing forward for an equaliser and with six minutes of stoppage time Olivier Giroud scored Arsenal’s third and celebrated like Arsenal had actually won some silverware.
Howe told Sky Sports…
‘…The players deserve a huge amount of credit, that can’t be forgotten, for the effort they put into the game, and then of course there are areas to improve on, 3-0 up in the second half.’
‘Absolutely mixed emotions, really pleased to go into a 3-0 lead against Arsenal, not something we really expected.
‘The lads worked so well, so hard, and the key moment is them scoring their first goal, I think the game changes on that and we had to see the last part out with 10 men…’
‘…We feel the game should be safe, but you have to look at the quality they have. The second goal is a great strike from a really difficult angle, I think you have to give Arsenal credit for the quality of their goals.’
Your Say…
Audenshaw Cherry wrote…
Great point
Yes I know we let a three goal lead go but what a great game.
We played our best football for 70 minutes.
Fraser was fantastic but was injured.
I am very proud of our team tonight. – Join the conversation here.
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