Bournemouth shock Arsenal: Cherries coach celebrates set-piece masterclass

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was all smiles after masterminding a shock 2-1 comeback win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. 

Iraola has credited his side’s set-piece prowess and relentless belief for the dramatic turnaround.

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“We’ve had our chances, we had a couple that we didn’t score, but the key was the set-plays in the second half-the throw-in, the corner,” Iraola told Premier League, relishing a famous victory that was Bournemouth’s first-ever win at Arsenal. 

“With these kinds of close games, to make the difference with the set-plays, I think it was the key to take the three points.”

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Iraola kept his squad focused. “At half-time, we spoke about our chances, but we were playing well, we had decent chances, especially those from Evanilson. It was about doing the same things, doing them a bit more. I’m really happy,” he said, highlighting his team’s determination and tactical discipline.

Bournemouth’s equaliser came via a long throw from Antoine Semenyo, nodded in by Dean Huijsen-remarkably, the Cherries’ first Premier League goal from a throw-in since 2017. 

“We hadn’t scored any from long throws this season, we’ve conceded two. We have a couple of players that can put in those balls, it was longer than expected from Semenyo today but I enjoyed that one,” Iraola grinned.

The Cherries completed their comeback when Evanilson finished at the far post after a flick-on from a corner, sealing a result that sent shockwaves through the Premier League and boosts Bournemouth’s European ambitions.

Iraola’s men showed grit, set-piece precision, and a fearless mentality-turning the Emirates into the stage for one of the season’s most memorable upsets.