CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil shared how he did believe the game was won at any point during his side’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal, despite leading by two goals.

Philip Billing’s opener straight from kick-off gave Cherries the lead, before the away side doubled their advantage through Marcos Senesi on 56 minutes.

Six minutes later Arsenal were back in the game via Thomas Partey, before Poole-born Ben White equalized on 70 minutes.

The resurgent Gunners completed the comeback on 97 minutes, Reiss Nelson volleying home from the edge of the area to break Cherries’ hearts.

Asked if he thought at any point his side had won the contest with their comfortable lead, O’Neil responded: “No.

“Arsenal were going to come back, they were going to throw everything at it while it's 2-0.

“When it’s 2-0, you feel 'okay, if we can hold them at bay'.

“From the very first minute of the game, you expect Arsenal to cause you problems, create chances.

“That's what happened. So at no moment did I feel like, ‘yeah, we're going to win this today’.

“I just felt like ‘come on boys. Next action. Let's go. Need to see it, another one's coming again.’

“I mean, when you'd seen out six of six minutes and you had one last corner to defend, you hope you leave with a point, but we don't.”

O’Neil then went on to stress how he was “proud” of his players' efforts despite the manner of the defeat, Cherries capitulating after leading by two goals for a third time this season.

He told the Daily Echo: “We were prepped for every situation they used. But just because you prep for it doesn't mean you stop it.

“They're five points clear at the top of the league for a reason. So, like I say, to make it the game it was took a lot of effort.

“Proud of what they produced. But obviously at this moment hard not to feel anything but gutted from the result.”