Arsenal player rating: How did the Gunners perform in their first Premier League defeat?

Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an abrupt end with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of AFC Bournemouth.

A red card for William Saliba and a second-half penalty proved decisive, leaving the Gunners with much to reflect on. Here’s how the players fared in a disappointing outing.

Raya had some standout moments with crucial saves that kept Arsenal in the game, though he was a bit too relaxed at times with his distribution. Overall, a solid performance despite the scoreline.

Calafiori showcased his potential with good ball control and positioning. Unfortunately, the loss overshadowed his contributions.

Consistent as ever, Gabriel provided a strong physical presence at the back and was largely untroubled by the opposition's attacks, aside from the two goals.

A costly mistake from Saliba, whose clumsy foul led to his red card. While the backpass created a challenging situation, his decision-making left much to be desired.

Making his return to the lineup, White looked a bit out of sync and struggled to impact the game as he usually would.

Rice worked tirelessly in midfield, attempting to control the game despite the overwhelming odds. His effort was commendable, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough.

Partey was solid in his role but lacked the dynamism needed to dominate the midfield, especially after the red card reduced Arsenal's options.

In his first start for Arsenal, Merino failed to make a mark and appeared disconnected from the game, often being a silent figure in midfield.

Trossard showed flashes of creativity but his backpass leading to Saliba's red card was a crucial turning point that dampened his overall performance.

Havertz struggled to find his rhythm and was largely ineffective, particularly in a situation where Arsenal had to defend for much of the match.

Sterling was a bright spot for Arsenal, looking dangerous on the right flank before being substituted due to the red card. His absence was felt as the game progressed.

Kiwior’s introduction backfired as a careless backpass led to the penalty that sealed the defeat. A disappointing performance that will leave him with lessons to learn.

Coming off the bench, Martinelli injected some much-needed energy and creativity into the game. His impact was noticeable, but unfortunately, it was too little, too late.

This defeat is a harsh reminder for Arsenal that moments of carelessness can be costly.

With key players underperforming and tactical decisions needing re-evaluation, the Gunners will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.