This season, Mikel Arteta’s team has scored late winners against Manchester United and Aston Villa, but Reiss Nelson’s 97th-minute goal against Bournemouth was something special.
Every Arsenal substitute and member of staff rushed to the pitch to join Nelson in celebration, or danced down the touchline in joy.
The fans at Emirates Stadium erupted in relief and celebration at a volume not heard since Arsenal first moved in. Ex-Gunners striker Ian Wright jumped and screamed with delight in the Match of the Day green room.
This appears to be the game that will be remembered if Arteta’s side wins their first Premier League title in 19 years.
“I think we’ve seen a Premier League team worthy of winning,” BBC Sport pundit Ashley Williams said.
“We continue to question them because of recent events, and they continue to respond. Days like this help you win the championship. If they win, they have earned it.”
Arsenal appeared to be ceding not only points to Manchester City, who defeated Newcastle 2-0 in the first game, but also momentum.
Arsenal had fallen behind after just 9.11 seconds against a bottom-three Bournemouth side, with Philip Billing scoring the second-fastest goal in Premier League history. When Marco Senesi headed home from a 57th-minute corner, it appeared as if the Gunners’ five-point morning lead would be cut to two.
Nelson, please take a seat. After Thomas Partey restored Arsenal’s lead to 2-1, the winger – who was making his third league appearance of the season – provided the cross for Ben White to level the game before scoring his stunning winner.
Following the second-fastest Premier League goal ever conceded, Arsenal won the game with their second most recent goal in the top flight since 2006-07.
Nelson’s winning time was 96 minutes and 57 seconds. Only Alexis Sanchez’s penalty against Burnley in January 2017, at 97:14, came later in 17 seasons.
“It was madness from the first second,” Arteta said after the game to Match of the Day. “We kept trying and won the game. We had a mountain to climb, and we took it one step at a time.
“I’ll remember this day for a few reasons. I admired their initiative, courage, personality, and ability to make things happen.
“That’s what big teams do when things are ugly and difficult. We must make things easier for ourselves. However, this is the Premier League.”