Arsenal’s contention for the English Premier League title has started to take a hit following a 2-0 shock to ‘strugglers’ Bournemouth to end their unbeaten start at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

Third-placed Arsenal entered the fixture hoping to challenge for pole position with leaders Liverpool and second-place Manchester City idle until Sunday.

Bournemouth, however, had a revised script as second-half goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluievert were enough to humble their London visitors.

Following a defensive, goalless, opening first half, the hosts, who were pegged back in the first quarter of the second stanza, struck twice in ten minutes as they capitalised on errors by the Gunners.

Christie opened the scoring with a brilliantly struck “top-bins” volley following a clever corner between Lewis Cook and Kluivert, who flicked a low pass into the box, which was dispatched goalward for a 70th-minute lead.

Kluvert then put the game beyond the reach of Arsenal nine minutes later following a composed penalty conversation to double Bournemouth’s advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

A lead which was preserved until the final whistle, as Mikel Arteta’s men were condemned to their first defeat of the season and potentially crucial dropped points in their title challenge.

The result sees Arsenal remain in third on 17 points after eight games, one behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, with City also ahead on goal difference.