‘They never gave up’ – Mikel Arteta bursting with pride after Arsenal’s ‘mad’ Bournemouth comeback

The Premier League leaders went behind after just nine seconds and their task became even harder when Bournemouth doubled their lead with little more than half an hour left.

However, the Gunners launched a thrilling comeback as Thomas Partey and Ben White netted in the space of eight minutes, before substitute Reiss Nelson guided home the winner through a crowded box deep into injury time.

“I’m incredibly happy,” Arteta told the BBC “It was just mad. Those feelings of happiness and joy. It was a really special way and it took until the last second to earn it. I am really proud of them.

“They never gave up. There is nothing like sharing those great moments with your people. I’m so happy for him [Reiss Nelson].”

“It’s just another game, another three points. To win three games in a week is very important,” Arteta said. “We want to stay there [at the top] for as long as possible. There are still a lot of games to play but that’s the beauty of it.”

Arsenal hero Nelson, a boyhood Gunners fan who came through the club’s youth system, was on cloud nine after coming off the bench to change the game with an assist and a goal.

“When the ball came out to me I was thinking ‘please give me one chance’,” Nelson told the BBC. “I’m buzzing, really happy. I controlled it with my right foot and it came onto my left.

“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.”

Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Portugal to face Sporting CP in the Europa League last 16 first leg on Thursday, before they travel to Fulham next Sunday in the Premier League.