The 15 best reactions to Reiss Nelson’s last-gasp Arsenal winner: Wrighty, Merson, Zinchenko…
Reiss Nelson’s last-minute match-winner in Arsenal’s unbelievable 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth could be one of the defining moments of the 2022-23 title race.
Arsenal were feeling the pressure after title rivals Manchester City won earlier in the afternoon to close the gap to just two points.
And it looked as though the league leaders were set to drop vital points at home to relegation-scrapping Bournemouth. Arsenal conceded after just nine seconds and went two goals behind, but they showed the mentality of champions to battle back.
Thomas Partey got Mikel Arteta’s Gunners back into the contest before substitutes Ben White and Reiss Nelson scored the second and third – with the match-winner coming with a sumptuous strike deep into injury time.
“It was madness from the first second. We kept trying and dominating the game. We had a mountain to climb and we took it bit by bit,” Arteta told BBC Sport in his post-match interview.
“We had the hunger to go for the first goal. From then the atmosphere changed. Reiss Nelson hasn’t featured much because he has been injured. He comes on and puts in that performance. It was incredible to experience the emotion with the crowd. It’s going to stick with us.
“I am going to remember this day for a few things. I loved the initiative, the courage, their personality and the way they made things happen.
“When its ugly and when its difficult, that’s what big teams do. We have to make it easier for ourselves. But this is the Premier League.
“The opponents are good and they make it hard for you. Now we have the Europa League – many games coming up. We’re going to need everyone at their best.”
Nelson has been a lesser-spotted member of Arsenal’s first team this season, but he has come up with some big contributions in his brief cameos this season to keep the Gunners in control in the race to be Premier League champions.
“When the ball came out to me I was thinking ‘please give me one chance’. I’m buzzing, really happy. I controlled it with my right foot and it came onto my left,” Nelson told BBC Sport.
“We need moments like this if we want to go all the way. We’re not looking at any other team at the minute. We are focusing on ourselves. We will keep going day-by-day, game-by-game. As an Arsenal fan, I’m just delighted with the result.”
Here are 15 of the best reactions to Nelson’s vital winner, from Arsenal legends like Ian Wright and Paul Merson to those taking it all in at the Emirates.
Arsenal need a goal and they bring on Reiss Nelson. 😭😭
— 天蝎座 (@UtdEIIis) March 4, 2023
❤️ Ian Wright’s reaction to Nelson’s winning goal. #afc pic.twitter.com/iAUruiVr10
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) March 4, 2023
Odegaard when the ball hit the net! #afc pic.twitter.com/cM6NMh8nPe
— Cathal (@AFCathal) March 4, 2023
❤️ Arteta’s reaction at full time. #afc pic.twitter.com/ojjtbclrx3
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) March 4, 2023
Oleksandr Zinchenko's face says it all. #AFC pic.twitter.com/G4dRSsO9Fh
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) March 4, 2023
Paul Merson, on Sky Sports : Reiss Nelson’s winning goal against Bournemouth. #afc #coyg 🔴⚪️pic.twitter.com/XOxxfMnHvh
— Steve Kay (@stevek9KS1TV) March 4, 2023
I LOVE THIS MAN 😍 pic.twitter.com/bT2Ltc2Omq
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) March 4, 2023
Leadership on show 👀#ARSBOU
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 4, 2023
Not sure we’ve got the manpower for this one…
😂🚨😭#ARSBOU— 🚨The Celebration Police🚨 (@PLCPolice) March 4, 2023
What a game! ❤️❤️❤️👊👊 #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/7WBYJhhb94
— score guy 🔴 (@highburyhigh) March 4, 2023
Soooo this happened @JohnnysTavernPL when, you know, that happened. Wait for it …#MyPLMorning #arsenal #COYG #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/uXDTmZA8Ii
— KC Gøøners (@KCGooners) March 4, 2023
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READ: 10 crazy stats from Arsenal’s unbelievable 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth
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Every #Arsenal fan right now…#ARSBOU #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/dfKy6AMcSB
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 4, 2023
Arsenal have won after trailing by two or more goals in a Premier League match for the first time since beating Tottenham 5-2 in February 2012. 🤯 #afc pic.twitter.com/WA06dg6DxE
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 4, 2023
🗣️ "I'm extremely happy… To win three games in the Premier League in a week is extremely difficult to do."
Mikel Arteta expresses his joy after @Arsenal's sensational turnaround against Bournemouth!
🎤 @CarrieBrownTV #beINPL #ARSBOU #AFC pic.twitter.com/27OKY5GSxS
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) March 4, 2023
"It feels amazing"
Reiss Nelson has spoken to Final Score after helping Arsenal to a comeback win against Bournemouth.#BBCFootball #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/khkJDCdzxh
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 4, 2023
Ben White celebrating Arsenal’s last-second winning goal in front of Bournemouth goalkeeper & prolific time-waster Neto. 😂❤️ #afc pic.twitter.com/jUO1NJ3u4L
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 4, 2023
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