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In the final game of the FA Cup fourth round, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth welcomed the Gunners to the Vitality Stadium. The two teams' most recent encounter ended 1-1 and was also coincidentally Mikel Arteta’s first game as Arsenal manager, just over a month ago. The winner of this match would have an away trip to Fratton Park in the fifth round awaiting them.
Mikel Arteta’s men opened the scoring in emphatic fashion as Bukayo Saka hammered home from nine yards to cap off a brilliant move in the eighth minute. The Gunners added an impressive second as Saka would turn provider for an Eddie Nketiah tap-in in the 26th minute to see them go 2-0 up into half time.
The score would stay the same until injury time, when substitute Sam Surridge would score a late consolation, but it wouldn’t be enough to stop the Gunners from going through.
#3 Valuable minutes for Rob Holding & Dani Ceballos
For a long time now, the Gunners have been synonymous with injuries. Under the days of Arsène Wenger, internal inquiries were held in response to how many injuries the players were getting. Now a similar crisis has stricken the squad with Sead Kolašinac, Kieran Tierney, Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers all injured for the Gunners in the defensive department.
In perhaps more pleasing news, both Rob Holding and Dani Ceballos have made full recoveries and gained valuable playing time tonight. Ceballos hasn’t been seen in an Arsenal shirt since early November, while Holding has made two appearances since the start of the year.
With the Spaniard threatening to cut his loan short, the 23-year-old completed 15 passes, took three corners and linked up well with Matteo Guendouzi in a tidy 21-minute cameo. As for Holding, he came on for an injured Mustafi, meaning this may be his chance to break into the starting line-up. The former Bolton player completed 14 passes, made 2 tackles and 1 interception in a cameo that won’t fill Mikel Arteta with that much confidence.
#2 Passive Bournemouth
It’s not an exaggeration to say that this is the toughest time of Eddie Howe’s tenure at Bournemouth. As the man that took the Cherries from League One to the Premier League, many would say his job is pretty much secure for life. Nevertheless, even those who have done so much still come under scrutiny. In the league, Howe’s men sit in the relegation zone having won twice in eight games.
Bournemouth started the game just like a team void of confidence. They stood off the Gunners and allowed Arsenal to pass the ball around the back with minimal pressure. They were simply penned into their own half and only attempted three shots. The likes of Dominic Solanke and Ryan Fraser simply strolled around aimlessly up top, with no intention of pressing the Gunners’ backline. The few times they did press, the Arsenal defence made mistakes.
In the second half, the Cherries came out with a little more intensity, but it was simply too little too late.
#1 Shine Saka Shine
Freddie Ljungberg made it clear last year that Bukayo Saka expressed his discontent at playing left-back. However, injuries to both Kolašinac and Tierney forced the Swede’s hand. Since then, the youngster has been a revelation.
The winger turned full-back has shown great maturity and understanding to put in performances of the highest quality. It’s hard enough to play out of position, but when you think about the tender age of Saka and the calibre of the opposition he’s playing against, he’s been exceptional.
Against Bournemouth, the 18-year-old constantly offered himself as an outlet down the left flank. At times you’d be remiss to think he was playing left wing, not left-back. The youngster’s energy and willingness to continuously bomb up and down his flank are symbolic of Arteta’s newfound philosophy.
Saka dominated the first half by scoring a rocket and assisting Eddie Nketiah, all from left-back. In another coming of age display, the 18-year-old completed 42 passes, created 2 chances, made 2 clearances, 1 tackle, 1 interception, assisted one goal and scored another.
