Bournemouth deepened Arsenal's misery with a 2-1 comeback victory on an afternoon when Alexis Sanchez's January exit appeared ever closer
Hector Bellerin's scruffy finish to a fine move (52) looked like sealing a morale-boosting win for a side without the omitted contract rebel, but the hosts completed a second-half turnaround through Callum Wilson (70) and Jordon Ibe (74) to boost their survival hopes and further dent Arsenal's top-four ambitions
 but while an end appears in sight to the saga that has long cast a shadow, the on-field troubles continue for a Gunners team embarrassed in the FA Cup a week ago and now winless in five games in all competitions
Wenger - without injured Mesut Ozil as well as Sanchez, and forced to watch on again from the stands - saw Bournemouth start the brisker, Adam Smith fizzing an early shot just wide of Petr Cech's post
Ainsley Maitland-Niles twisted twice in the box to craft space, only to see his curling effort clip the bar (7), but though Jack Wilshere was impressing on familiar turf, real rhythm eluded both sides in a scrappy first half-hour
Danny Welbeck was thwarted by the out-rushing Asmir Begovic as Arsenal upped the ante, but the hosts appealed justifiably for a penalty when Alex Iwobi repelled a corner with a raised elbow (39) and then were denied by gutsy defending, Calum Chambers sliding in to deny Ryan Fraser
Bournemouth resumed with intent as the January sun broke through, but Arsenal made the breakthrough just seven minutes after the restart when Iwobi set free Bellerin with a slide-rule pass, his shot bobbling over the line after Begovic's half-save
Eddie Howe threw on Lys Mousset, Fraser shuffled to right wing-back, but a momentum shift had not looked likely until Wilson struck, stretching out a boot and beating Cech and Chambers to a ball swung in invitingly by Fraser
Wilson swiftly turned provider as Arsenal lapsed at the back again, the striker afforded time to control Smith's pass, before letting Ibe lash low
Theo Walcott followed Aaron Ramsey off the bench but, having surrendered the lead, Arsenal never looked like mustering the response that earned Howe's men - now up to 13th - a timely first win over desperately disappointing opponents
Jordon Ibe struck the winner but Callum Wilson proved pivotal, showing desire to poach the equaliser and then strength to hold up a ball with back to goal and set up the decisive strike
 He has now scored three goals in three Premier League games against the Gunners - and recorded his first Premier League assist in this contest
Arsenal return to Premier League action next Saturday against a resurgent Crystal Palace side - their Carabao Cup semi-final decider against Chelsea four days later - while Bournemouth travel to West Ham
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>
<PAD>