Arsenal's title run was delt a blow as a clinical Bournemouth side cruised to a 12-game unbeaten streak, thrashing the Gunners at home on Saturday afternoon, opening the door for Manchester City to close the gap at the top.
There were always bound to be plenty more twists and turns in the final few weeks of the season - and there will surely be more to come - but not many people predicted that Arsenal would drop points at home to Bournemouth.
The game kicked off with intensity and several ball exchanges between both sides in the first 15 minutes but Bournemouth had something in store for Arteta's boys.
Eli Junior Kroupi stunned the Emirates in the 17th minute. Christie played a terrific angled pass between Madueke and White to release Truffert on the left. His cross took a big deflection off Saliba and looped to the far post, where Kroupi leapt to cushion a close-range volley into the net, his 10th league goal of a superb season.
Arsenal were handed a glorious opportunity to draw level 10 minutes before half-time as Ryan Christie was penalised for a handball in the box and Viktor Gyokeres made no mistake from the spot.
The second half saw sustained pressure from Arsenal, with several chances blocked or saved, including efforts from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus, but Bournemouth held firm defensively.
The decisive moment came in the 74th minute when Alex Scott scored from the centre of the box, putting Bournemouth back in front after being set up by Evanilson.
Arsenal pushed hard in added time, earning multiple corners and creating late opportunities, but Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic made key saves to preserve the lead.
There were late bookings for James Hill, Adrien Truffert and Kroupi as Bournemouth saw out the result. As fans at Emirates Stadium booed, Bournemouth had extended their run. It was 1 - 2 in favour of the Cherries.
The result means City are still nine points behind the leaders but they now have two games in hand. And let's not forget that the Gunners will visit the Etihad Stadium a week on Sunday.
One of City's games in hand has yet to be rearranged, but maximum points from their games in hand and a victory over Arsenal next week would mean the two teams would be level on points.
City now walk into the Chelsea Sunday game knowing a win cuts the lead down to six (with a game in hand and a head-to-head with Arsenal coming up).