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Danny Welbeck scored twice and Alexandre Lacazette also added one to his tally as Arsenal eased to a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Welbeck opened the scoring early on, turning the ball home with his shoulder after a fine cross from Sead Kolasinac.
The England international then turned provider, setting up Lacazette to fire home the Gunners’ second from 25 yards. The job was completed in the 50th minute with Welbeck slotting the ball into the far corner after being set up by Aaron Ramsey.
This was a much-needed triumph for Arsene Wenger’s side after consecutive losses to Stoke City and Liverpool, but Bournemouth remain without a point after four matches.
#1. Welbeck and Lacazette combine well in comfortable win
Lacazette was a surprising omission in the 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool last time out, with Wenger opting to start him on the bench at Anfield. He returned to the XI here, though, and did not take long to trouble the Bournemouth rearguard with his speed, movement and touch.
Welbeck began the game as an inside-forward on the left-hand side, but he frequently drifted into central areas to link up with Lacazette. With Mesut Ozil pulling the strings from behind, Arsenal produced some impressive attacking football, as Bournemouth struggled to cope with their slick interplay.
The second goal would have pleased Wenger most: Lacazette rolled Nathan Ake, exchanged a neat one-two with Welbeck and fired the ball home. It was an excellent piece of play from the two forwards, who proved a constant thorn in Bournemouth’s side.
#2. Bournemouth couldn’t handle Arsenal’s attack
For all Arsenal’s quality, the Cherries made life far too easy for the hosts at the Emirates Stadium. After a confident spell of early possession, Eddie Howe’s men conceded from their opponents’ first real attack, with Welbeck allowed a free run into the box to break the deadlock.
Things hardly improved for Bournemouth thereafter, as Arsenal took advantage of the spaces in between centre-back trio Steve Cook, Nathan Ake and Tyrone Mings. There was a lack of bite and muscle in the middle of the park too, with Dan Gosling and Harry Arter overwhelmed by Granit Xhaka and Ramsey.
Bournemouth conceded 67 goals last season and the same amount in 2015/16, their first campaign at this level. Given that their backline has already been breached eight times this term, it appears as though the south-coast side have not rectified their major weakness.
#3. Wenger sticks to his guns with back three
The comprehensive nature of Arsenal’s loss to Liverpool before the international break meant many expected Wenger to revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation here. Instead, the Gunners boss stuck to his guns and retained the 3-4-2-1 setup he has used since winning against Middlesbrough last April, a decision which was vindicated by his team’s dominant performance.
Laurent Koscielny was his usual commanding self in the heart of the backline, with Nacho Monreal and the returning Shkodran Mustafi equally solid on either side of the Frenchman. Xhaka and Ramsey were a great deal sturdier in the engine room, meanwhile, although doubts remain about their suitability as a midfield pairing in the bigger games.
Indeed, although Wenger will have been delighted with his side’s showing on Saturday, he should be fully aware that there are tougher tests to come – starting with the trip to champions Chelsea next weekend.
#4. Defoe isolated as Cherries struggle to create
Eddie Howe admitted that his players were “a bit passive” and “too reactive” in his post-match press conference, while he also lamented their sloppiness in possession. The latter was arguably their chief problem at the Emirates, with their first shot on goal not arriving until the 48th minute.
That chance fell to Jermain Defoe shortly after the restart, who hit the post with a header after being picked out by Jordon Ibe. The worrying thing for Bournemouth was that it was one of the few moments their centre-forward was involved in the match, with the 34-year-old cutting an isolated figure at the top of the pitch.
Defoe has never been one to drop deep and link the play, nor is he a striker who stretches the play with runs into the channels. Fielding Josh King centrally would probably have worked better for the Cherries, who did not have an out-ball to help them quickly turn defence into attack.
#5. Mixed reception for substitute Sanchez
Wenger had the luxury of introducing Alexis Sanchez when the game was already won, the Chile international entering the fray alongside Olivier Giroud after 75 minutes.
Many home fans cheered the forward, who was reportedly desperate to move to Manchester City in the summer transfer window, but a fair few boos were audible too. Several supporters are clearly unhappy with the way he tried to engineer an exit on deadline day, when Arsenal supposedly refused to sell him after failing to land Thomas Lemar from Monaco.
Wenger acknowledged the mixed reception in his press conference, but insisted the “best way to get people on your side is to perform”.
And it is hard to argue with that.
