A Junior Kroupi goal gave Bournemouth the lead in the capital after 17 minutes, before Victor Gyokeres equalised from the penalty spot to see the sides level at 1-1 at the interval.
But the Cherries were the better of the two sides and limited their hosts superbly, and it was a well-deserved winner for Alex Scott as he calmly finished past David Raya with 15 minutes to play.
Match report:
Reflecting on the game, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Obviously really pleased with the performance, with the win, and especially happy for the players.
“We were coming from a really good run of games, but there were a lot of draws there and probably we were not appreciating what they were doing.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard (left) and Bournemouth's Evanilson battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium, London. (Image: Adam DavyPA Wire)
“We haven't lost a game since we played against Arsenal, 3rd of January, and it means you are not getting days off.
“Sometimes we are playing better, sometimes we are playing worse, but the team is there and is competing for every game.
“I think a game like this, considering the opposition, considering the moment of the season, how much was in play, I think it gives us this reward for the players that I think they deserved it.”
Tactically, the Cherries looked to have Arsenal’s number, as the Gunners struggled with Bournemouth’s intensity and press.
That is a feature of Bournemouth’s style, and Iraola explained: “When you win a game, it always looks like everything was spot on and everything was like you wanted.
“But I think obviously because they are a big club, a big team playing so well, they will give you chances to recover the ball high because they assume these risks.
Bournemouth's Ryan Christie (left) and Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium, London. (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
“Sometimes they've gone through our press and we were close but you don't arrive there and they find solutions from difficult positions.
“But it's true that the games against United, against Arsenal we played lately, probably they go direct less times and they give you the chance to press them, to recover the ball a little bit higher.
“But we had to also accept some big risks, situations one against one at the back sometimes. And the key for me is have the players ready to win those duels in difficult positions.”
Iraola’s side had drawn the past five games heading into this afternoon’s game, and, asked if that served as motivation to return to winning ways, the boss said: “I think when you draw a lot, you feel like the table doesn't give you what you are putting there.
“One point is not a lot. We were not losing and still losing positions sometimes in the table, because other teams around us were winning.
“I hope this win helps us to recover a better position in the standings, stay there in the fight and value a little bit what this group of players is doing.”