Arsenal ‘stunned’ as Bournemouth star Philip Billing scores second-fastest goal in Premier League history to silence Gunners fans
Bournemouth have scored the second-fastest ever goal in Premier League history in their game against league leaders Arsenal.
The Cherries started the game in north London in the relegation zone, with the Gunners looking to dump further woes on the visitors' survival hopes and restore their five-point lead on Man City at the top of the table.
But, just nine seconds into the game, Arsenal found themselves 1-0 down.
Bournemouth kicked off the game, with Dominic Solanke working the ball out to Dango Ouattara on the right wing.
The winger was then allowed to run closer and closer towards the penalty area, and his cross into the box took a deflection, with Philip Billing ghosting in between the Gunners defenders to turn it in.
The Cherries' move certainly caught Arsenal sleeping, and Mikel Arteta's players, as well as the home crowd in north London, were all left shell shocked after the Premier League strugglers took the lead.
"Have I just seen that?" talkSPORT's commentator Alvin Martin said live from the Emirates.
"A ball comes in and they don't clear it and it's an easy finish for Billing. Everyone is stunned!"
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Billing's strike is the Premier League's second fastest ever goal, coming just behind Shane Long's effort in 7.69 seconds against Watford for Southampton in 2019, and going ahead of Ledley King's goal for Tottenham versus Bradford City in 2000.
And after taking in what was an unexpected start, Martin's co-commentator Ian Danter added: “[William] Saliba stopped running, Gabriel stopped running, and it was Billing who was ghosting in behind Saliba to tuck it away, and Bournemouth have caused a right old rumpus here within seconds off the off.
"One minute has just ticked on the clock, and Arsenal are behind! But, as with many other times when Arsenal have gone behind at the Emirates Stadium this season, the atmosphere remains positive.
"The roar goes up to encourage those red and white shirts forward. But that was incredible. It’s like Arsenal have started the game with a handicap. They’re a goal down in the first minute and they’ve now got to show what they can do.”
Man City's 2-0 win over Newcastle in the early kick-off on Saturday means it's now up to Arsenal to pull back their five point gap on the reigning Premier League champions.
You can listen to all the updates as the Gunners look to secure all three points live on talkSPORT.
