Premier League 2018-19: 3 things we learnt from Arsenal's 5-1 win over Bournemouth

Lacazette scored a fantastic free kick versus Bournemouth
Lacazette scored a fantastic free kick versus Bournemouth

#2 Unai Emery's hard work paying off

Arsenal FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
Arsenal FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League

One of the most impressive thing about the Gunners' victory over Bournemouth was the evidence of the Emery style of play beginning to key into the players. Emery is a coach who likes his team to press the opposition with intensity and a lot of energy. In addition to that, he loves his team to play on the counter with one-touch football.

The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were pressing the Bournemouth defenders into submission, which yielded dividends for most part of the game.

The pace at which the Gunners broke away on a couple of occasions to create a 3 v 4 situation was also very impressive. One of the breakaways saw Aubameyang score from a rapid counter attack led by Mkhitaryan, who earned the man of the match award for scoring one goal and effecting two assists.

The calmness with which the Gunners played themselves out of trouble when they were pressed by the opposition in many parts of the game was remarkable, although one such moment led to Matteo Guendouzi losing the ball and gifting Bournemouth their consolation goal.

If they continue to work on this, we could well see an Arsenal team playing the Guardiola way next season.

#3 The dynamism - A paradigm shift

Arsenal FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League
Arsenal FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League

During Arsene Wenger's reign as Arsenal's manager, the team was characteristically known for over-emphasizing the passing game and being too predictable to play against.

All that has changed now as Emery's Arsenal allows for players to travel some distance with the ball, beating their marker, rather than emphasizing the passing game. He is also a lover of combination play but with a strong emphasis on counter-attacking when the opportunity presents itself.

Guendouzi was also looking to thread the telegraphic pass from the midfield to find the likes of Lacazette and Aubameyang, making runs in behind the opposition defence. This is especailly important when faced with opposition who like to keep the high line while defending.

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Edited by Musab Abid