JOSHUA King’s goal on his return from injury counted for nothing as Cherries were beaten 2-1 at home by Arsenal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 67th-minute winner ensured the Gunners took all three points from Vitality Stadium as the hosts slipped to their third league defeat in a row.

King had struck in first-half stoppage time to cancel out Jefferson Lerma’s unfortunate own goal.

But former Dortmund forward Aubameyang’s decisive blow proved the difference and helped extend to 17 games the Gunners’ unbeaten run in all competitions.

Cherries made three changes from the side which was beaten 2-1 at Newcastle before the international break.

Adam Smith’s knee injury meant Charlie Daniels came in at left-back.

Dan Gosling replaced Lewis Cook in midfield. King returned from an ankle problem and came in for Jordon Ibe, who was left out of the squad all together.

Junior Stanislas was judged fit enough for the bench after overcoming a groin problem.

After being awarded with October’s player of the month award ahead of kick-off, David Brooks had the ball in the net for Cherries after only seven minutes.

He linked up with King on the edge of the box but after slotting the ball under Gunners keeper Bernd Leno, was controversially flagged offside.

The Gunners then responded and came within inches of taking the lead.

Uruguayan Lucas Torreira won the ball in midfield and sent a rasping effort which cannoned off the upright. Alex Iwobi was unable to capitalise on the follow-up.

Cherries had started at a high tempo however. Simon Francis got forward from right back and crossed for Callum Wilson – the England striker headed into the clutches of Leno.

With both sides going in search of the opener, the Gunners squandered a glorious opportunity midway through the first half.

A corner drifted in found frontman Aubameyang at the back post but he failed to keep his strike down on the half-volley from eight yards out.

But on 30 minutes Arsenal took the lead in fortuitous circumstances.

After Gosling’s misplaced pass in midfield, Alex Iwobi passed to Sead Kolasinac, whose cross was turned in by Colombian Lerma on the volley after he attempted to clear.

Forward Iwobi then almost found the net himself. He tested Cherries’ stopper Asmir Begovic with a curling effort the Bosnian was able to palm to safety.

But Cherries restored parity right on the stroke of half-time with a blistering counter-attack.

After initially clearing their lines, Ryan Fraser picked up the ball and surged forward to find frontman Callum Wilson on the left. He managed to pick out David Brooks with a neat cross-field pass.

The Wales international’s through ball to King was perfect and the Norwegian striker fired into the top corner with his left foot to make it 1-1.

It was Arsenal who came close to regaining the advantage on 53 minutes. Torreira’s neat first touch allowed him to send a shot which deflected just over the top of the bar.

Lerma was then too casual on the ball and almost paid the price just past the hour mark. He turned into Mkhitaryan who picked his pocket.

The Armenian played in Aubameyang, who failed to keep his shot down.

But on 67 minutes Aubameyang found the Gunners’ second goal. After Lerma gave away a free-kick, Iwobi was allowed to find Kolasinac, whose devilish cross was turned into the net by the Gabonese striker.

Stanislas was introduced by the hosts and almost produced an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining.

He latched on to Daniels’s cutback and poked through the legs of defender Rob Holding but Leno was in the right position to save.

Lerma then almost made amends for his earlier mistake five minutes from time. The Colombian World Cup star let fly with a fizzing effort from all of 25 yards which canned off the post to safety.

Cherries: Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Brooks (Stanislas, 73) Gosling (L Cook, 73) Lerma, Fraser; King (Mousset 82); Wilson.

Unused subs: Surman, Defoe, Mings, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: Ake, Lerma.

Arsenal: Leno; Mustafi, Sokratis, Holding; Bellerin, Torreria (Guendouzi, 79), Xhaka, Kolasinac; Iwobi (Ramsey, 82), Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang (Nketiah 90+2).

Unused subs: Elneny, Ozil, Maitland-Niles, Cech (g/k).

Booked: Sokratis.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

Attendance: 10,792.