Arsenal capped off a disappointing week with a 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Thomas Partey and Ben White were recalled to the Gunners' line-up after Tuesday's loss to Paris Saint-Germain while Bournemouth had Evanilson in the side after his red card against Manchester United was overturned.
The visitors carved out the game's first on 26 chance after Merkez's superb cross found an un-marked Evanlison, who headed over the crossbar with only David Raya to beat.
Arsenal had a chance of their own a few minutes later when a well-worked passing move ended with Gabriel Martinelli dragging his left-footed strike just wide of the upright.
Mikel Arteta's charges did make their dominance count on 34 minutes when Declan Rice latched onto a neat through-ball from Martin Odegaard before rounding Kepa and firing into an empty net for his eighth league goal.
After a quiet first half, the Cherries got back on level terms in the 63rd minute as Antoine Semenyo's long throw was not dealt with by the Gunners' defence, allowing to head home his third league goal of the campaign.
Bournemouth went on to take the lead in the 75th minute when Marcus Tavernier nodded a corner into the path of Evanilson, who bundled the ball home at the far post.
Arteta's men found it tough to get the equaliser in the closing stages, as Bournemouth held on for their first-ever win at the Emirates Stadium.
