Arsenal mounted a dramatic comeback to rescue a point at Dean Court, after trailing 3-0 at one point.
The Cherries got off to a blistering start after Charlie Daniels first found himself completely unmarked on the left before rounding Hector Bellerin and finishing neatly, Granit Xhaka then gave away a needless penalty with a stupid shove inside the box.
Ryan Fraser compounded the Gunners’ misery in the second half after some awful defending from Hector Bellerin, before Arsenal burst into life on 70 minutes. Alexis Sanchez opened Arsenal’s account, before a stunning goal from Lucas Perez and a stoppage time header from Olivier Giroud rescued a point for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Most fans were unhappy with the result despite the comeback as a draw with Bournemouth saw Arsenal potentially lose further ground in the title race.
It’s not just Giroud, it’s a reflection of the mentality of the whole club. Start playing when pressure’s off, celebrate a draw. Winners???
— Pablo (@AFCAMDEN) January 3, 2017
No, we were 3-0 down to Bournemouth & only drew after they went down to 10 men. That is not ‘success’. https://t.co/NzVZKQFZ07
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 4, 2017
No way we are winning the title. It’s over. Just not good enough, have dropped 9 points from winning position.
— Sir Jenkinson (@theEpicGooner) January 3, 2017
I get that it’s a ‘great comeback’ but make no mistake, this was a dreadful performance and 3-3 is a terrible result for our title chances.
— FK³ (@fkhanage) January 3, 2017
Olivier Giroud’s celebrations after his equaliser – when Arsenal still needed another goal – came in for ridicule and vitriol.
Martial equalises > straight to the cent circle. Kane equalises > straight to the cent circle. Giroud’s equalises: pic.twitter.com/Bn3eSuZy8A
— ㅤㅤㅤ (@AaronMancz) January 3, 2017
Giroud taking the time to do that scorpion celebration, with several minutes still to win the game, was monumentally stupid.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) January 3, 2017
Kane makes it 2-2 WHU: grabs ball and runs back to centre spot. Giroud makes it 3-3 wastes 30 seconds with a stupid dance. Difference.
— Bardi (@BardiTFC) January 3, 2017
Martial didn’t celebrate the equaliser vs Boro remember? Time is vital when you’re chasing a win. Giroud celebrated like a retard ?
— Wicky (@Wicknes007) January 3, 2017
However the Frenchman did get some support from Gooners.
Giroud’s celebration took 5 seconds. Why are alcoholics hating.
— Olly (@Giroudesquee) January 3, 2017
Without Giroud we wouldn’t even get a draw but yeah let’s blame his celebration for not winning
— Ana HUEHUEHUE (@Goonerette_7) January 3, 2017
People are more pissed that Giroud wasted 10 seconds than they are happy that Giroud bailed us out smh
— ali (@AleeArsenal) January 3, 2017
Olivier Giroud tonight:
2 Assists ?
1 Goal ⚽️Saviour pic.twitter.com/tUTSrl4lIH
— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) January 3, 2017
One fan even made a bet that he lost pretty hilariously :
I’ll dedicate my account to Olivier Giroud for a week if Arsenal equalise, they’re shit lmao, 100% not happening
— ᴛᴏᴍ (@FutboIFirmino) January 3, 2017