A third consecutive second-place finish for Arsenal has seemed frustratingly likely as they failed to seize on Manchester City's large dip in form.
However, Arsenal could seem themselves falling to the teams below them in the top five, if they let their levels drop any further.
What has slipped under the radar is the 13 draws and 67 points accrued this season so far - a disappointing haul, considering the standards they had set in the previous two campaigns.
With one win in their last eleven in all competitions, Bournemouth were trailing heading into half-time, but two goals from set pieces in quick succession shocked Arsenal into another loss at the Emirates.
On Declan Rice's 100th appearance for the club in less than two seasons, he opened the scoring and the momentum was surely going to start building from there for the home side.
Yet, Arsenal have struggled to defend set pieces this season, despite their acclaimed pedigree in scoring from them.
Substitute Antoine Semenyo launched a long throw into the cluster of players in David Raya's box, only for Spaniard Dean Huijsen to leap above the Arsenal defenders, who stayed rooted to their spots, and steer his header into the corner.
Less than ten minutes later in the second half, the visitors exploited the set piece frailties of The Gunners once more.
A corner was flicked on at the front post and met by Evanilson, whose red card against Manchester United was rescinded, as the Brazilian sneaked in at the back post and scrambled in the winner.
Mikel Arteta expressed his discontent for Arsenal's costly errors and how his side defended the box "really poorly".
"We have conceded a lot, especially recently, which are costing us a lot of points. That's clear and that's everybody's responsibility."
"If you defend the way we've done, very few set-pieces but very poorly, in the league you're going to get punished. It doesn't matter if you are ahead or behind in the scoring."
The Spaniard also added, "today, in many situations, we have given balls away that are nowhere near the standard that we require, certainly."
This makes it 21 points dropped from winning positions this season for Arsenal, albeit this tie was the first time they went on to lose after scoring first.
This could be down to a lack of attacking firepower and strength in depth, issues which have long troubled Arsenal.
This clash against Bournemouth was an opportunity to develop some momentum and positive energy as Arsenal fell to defeat for the first time in 12 matches against the Ligue 1 Champions on Tuesday.
But, Arteta asserted that the loss will give his team a different type of energy to use in Paris.
"Well, we certainly wanted to create a really good vibe, a positive result would really help us to build what we wanted towards Wednesday. So what we have created now is a lot of rage, anger, frustration and a bad feeling in the tummy. So make sure that we use that for Wednesday to have a massive performance in Paris, win the game and be in the final."
Arteta also once again clarified the availability issues for the club and the demands he has been forced to place on a select personnel.
"We had to play some players that probably weren't in the best condition to play because we don't have other players."
Jurrien Timber was unexpectedly entirely absent from Mikel Arteta's squad with Ben White handed a start.
The Arsenal manager was doubtful that the right-back would return ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
"Confident? At the moment, no, because he wasn't able to play here and we play in four days."
PSG recorded their second loss in the league against Strasbourg on Saturday and Luis Enrique changed almost his entire starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Arteta fielded an undoubtably strong side amid speculation of rotation, with the possible exception of Mikel Merino on the bench, as Thomas Partey slotted back into central midfield.
"They won the league so they have the luxury to do that. We haven't because we still have a lot to do in the Premier League. But we have four days and I'm sure we'll be fully recovered and at our best to play the game."
Arteta would have wanted to put second place in the Premier League to bed many games ago.
Even though finishing 5th or above guarantees qualification for the Champions League, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City or even Newcastle supplanting them as Liverpool's closest contenders would be nothing short of disappointment.
An extensive injury list has certainly hurt The Gunners with six probable starters forced to sit on the sidelines, including key and regular assets to the spine in Kai Havertz and Gabriel.
Six points against Liverpool and Newcastle, who Arsenal face next in the Premier League, before their final day trip to Southampton, seems a tall order. Both the champions and Carabao Cup winners have four wins from five, while Mikel Arteta's men have just one win in five.
Arsenal have to make a case that they still deserve a place in the top two in the league, as much as a place in the final of the Champions League.
Everything is on the line in these final games to make the season worthy of recognition, rather than another forgotten chapter.