Mikel Arteta "Really Proud" Of Arsenal Players After "Mad" Win Over Bournemouth

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta declared himself "really proud" after watching his team come from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 in a thrilling Premier League clash.

Bournemouth took the lead inside 10 seconds when Philip Billing scored the second fastest goal in EPL history.

The Cherries doubled their lead against the run of play when Marcos Senesi headed home from a corner kick 12 minutes into the second half.

Arteta needed a big reaction, especially as title rivals Manchester City had won 2-0 against Newcastle earlier in the day.

The Gunners boss got a massive response.

Thomas Partey and Ben White scored to draw Arsenal level.

Then in the seventh minute of added time Reiss Nelson fired in a dramatic winner to send Arsenal fans - and Arteta - wild with joy.

Reiss Nelson pictured (right) shooting to score a 97th-minute winner for Arsenal against Bournemouth

IMAGO/PA Images/John Walton

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Arteta said: "I'm incredibly happy.

"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."

He added: "It was madness from the first second. We kept trying and dominating the game. We had a mountain to climb and we took it bit by bit.

"We had the hunger to go for the first goal. From then the atmosphere changed.

"It was incredible to experience the emotion with the crowd. It's going to stick with us.

"I am going to remember this day for a few things. I loved the initiative, the courage, their personality and the way they made things happen.

"When its ugly and when its difficult, that's what big teams do. We have to make it easier for ourselves, but this is the Premier League."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured (center) celebrating during his team's 3-2 win over Bournemouth

IMAGO/Uk Sports Pics Ltd/Joshua Smith

As well as scoring Arsenal's third goal, Nelson assisted White for his team's equalizer.

The 23-year-old, who came on as a 69th-minute substitute, has only made three EPL appearances this season but he has now been directly involved in five goals.

Arteta explained: "Reiss Nelson hasn't featured much because he has been injured. He comes on and puts in that performance..."

Speaking to Match of the Day about his goal, Nelson said: "When the ball came out to me I was thinking 'please give me one chance'.

"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."