Arsenal played host to a Bournemouth side, who were deprived of Jack Wilshere’s services in midfield as a result of him being an Arsenal loanee. During the first half, Bournemouth benefited from what looked like a soft penalty awarded by the referee. The goal made the score 1-1, with Arsenal scoring their goal through Sanchez in the 12th minute.
Theo Walcott made the pivotal difference as he headed Monreal’s inviting cross into goal in the 53rd minute. Arsenal found a third in the closing stages after Alexis Sanchez finished off a fast, sumptuous attack which flowed with incredible ease past the Bournemouth defence.
The win keeps Arsenal hot in the pursuit of league leaders Chelsea, and are now on 28 points from 13 games. Here are 5 talking points from the game:
#1 Arsenal’s changed lineup performs up to expectations at home
Mohammad Elneny and Granit Xhaka were handed starts in defensive midfield roles by Arsene Wenger in an attempt to outmuscle the Bournemouth central midfield paring of Dan Gosling and Harry Arter. They performed quite efficiently as they shielded the back four and tracking their runners without fail on nearly every occasion.
Gibbs was replaced by regular starter Nacho Monreal, who came back from injury last weekend. Monreal could have given Bournemouth a way back into the game with a handball that went unpunished by the referee. For the rest of the game, he was his usual self and provided a stable presence on Arsenal’s left.
Mathieu Debuchy, who started the game in place of Hector Bellerin, couldn’t capitalise on his opportunity and had to hobble off the field in the 16th minute with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Brazilian Gabriel Paulista, who then filled in for him at right-back.
#2 Arsenal’s front four continue their free-scoring form
Has Theo Walcott finally adapted to a role in the Arsenal setup, or is this another of those false dawns that many Arsenal players have had over the years? Whatever be the reason, the English attacker was on point, putting in a neat header past Bournemouth shot-stopper Federici.
Alexis Sanchez was at his best as he displayed a very high work rate in both defence and attack – continuously pressing opposition midfielders and defenders high up the pitch. Mesut Ozil was also his effortless, effervescent self and the rest of the team backed up the three-star performers of Arsenal’s 2016/17 campaign.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is currently ahead of Alex Iwobi in the pecking order, turned in yet another strong performance on Arsenal’s left. Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey, on for Walcott and ‘The Ox’ in the second half, also did their reputations no harm.
#3 Bournemouth’s mixed fortunes with penalty decisions
Bournemouth helped themselves to an equaliser after referee Mike Jones gave an extremely soft decision against Monreal in the 22nd minute of the game. Arsenal fans booed the referee into the tunnel at the halftime whistle, and remained agitated.
With the score in Arsenal’s favour at 2-1 in the second half, Bournemouth could have had another penalty, but this time Mike Jones waved away appeals despite the fact that Monreal’s hands were outstretched on this occasion. Thus, Bournemouth had roughly a fair fortune through the course of the game.
#4 Bournemouth’s defence concede due to errors
Bournemouth, who drew 0-0 against Spurs in their most recent tough game, went to the Emirates Stadium with little hope of picking up points. They looked to rely mainly on their strikers to outscore Arsenal, despite the fact that they had not scored a single goal at Arsenal for a long time.
It did not take long for them to break under the pressure and concede one. It was a terrible mistake from their own defender Steve Cook, who played a backpass to Adam Federici in goal straight into the path of the onrushing Sanchez, who obliged by putting the ball into the net.
Bournemouth never recovered from this error and were kept occupied all night long by Arsenal’s attacks.
#5 Arsenal prove that their Premier League campaign is afoot
Arsenal have so far had their usual, stop-start fortune in the Premier League. They have not been on top of the table for a single day, but so far, they have been able to keep in contact with whichever team has led the table.
They secured this win on the back of 3 draws in all competitions, and Arsenal are yet to lose in the Premier League ever since they lost on the first game week at home to Liverpool. Their momentum is refusing to drop, and they have every reason in the world to be excited about their title chances this season based on the form they have shown.
