Arsenal have received a beating at the Emirates Stadium after Bournemouth outplayed them, hours after Kenyan President William Ruto posed with the team's Jersey and Wished the gooners luck.
Arsenal lost at home to Bournemouth by a score of 1-2, despite having played with several starters and thinking about their duel against PSG. The goals of the match were scored by Rice at 34', Huijsen at 67' and Evanilson at 76'.
Declan Rice’s first-half strike had the Gunners in control in north London on Saturday evening.
But a meek second-half showing allowed the visitors to fight their way back into the contest with Dean Huijsen heading home an equaliser after 67 minutes.
Evanilson put the Cherries in front with 15 minutes of the game remaining, winning a tussle up against Martin Odegaard to convert at the near post. The Cherries hung on to do the double over Mikel Arteta’s side this season.
Despite naming close to his strongest side, Arsenal could not get the job done with work still to do to book their place in next season’s Champions League.
Manchester City are now just three points behind the Gunners who need four points from their final three games to secure qualification.
While the PSG coach Luis Enrique rested 10 players for his side’ Saturday evening game against Strasbourg, Arteta named a strong team that included Rice, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli from the start.
After defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, Arsenal head to the French capital next week on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
The Defeat comes hours after President Ruto said he is praying for Arsenal to win the UEFA Champions League trophy this year.
Speaking yesterday when he received the UEFA Champions League Trophy at State House during its Continental tour, Ruto said he remains hopeful Arsenal will overturn their 1-0 defeat to Paris St Germain (PSG) in next week’s return leg of the semi-final tie between the two giants.
“ I am an Arsenal fan and I hope they overturn the 1-0 loss to PSG this week when they meet in Paris, next Wednesday and advance to the finals to hopefully lift this trophy for the first time in the club’s history. I think since I am the last one to hold it, I am praying for my team so that this year, they lift the trophy for the first time at the finals,” he said.
Addressing dignitaries, football enthusiasts, and officials from UEFA, Heineken, and the Football Kenya Federation, President Ruto expressed both pride and optimism about Kenya’s growing role in global football.
“I am truly delighted to receive the UEFA Champions League trophy here in Kenya,” he said. “We are honoured to host it once again, especially given the tremendous and passionate support that football enjoys across our country.”
The President also highlighted football’s unique ability to bring people togeth
“Football has the power to unite people - not just to cheer their favourite teams, but to celebrate special moments with family, friends, and even strangers.”
Among the guests was German football legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich in 2013 and World Cup champion with Germany in 2014. Ruto extended a warm welcome: “Karibu sana, Bastian and team - welcome to Kenya.”
He also encouraged aspiring Kenyan footballers to learn from Schweinsteiger’s discipline and career path:
“It is my prayer that our young, aspiring footballers - both male and female - will emulate your dedication and help elevate Kenya in the world of competitive football.”
Turning to the local game, Ruto reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthening football from the grassroots to the professional level.
“I want to assure Kenyans that the government I lead remains steadfast in its commitment to uplifting the standards of football. We will continue to invest in talent development and revamp the entire football ecosystem.”
