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After a draw against Manchester United in their previous fixture, Arsenal were looking to set things right for their fans at home to Bournemouth. Unai Emery’s men knew coming into this game that they could move up into third place with a win. As for Eddie Howe’s men, they looked to continue their solid start to the season, coming into the game only one point behind the Gunners.
Arsenal opened proceedings in the 8th minute as David Luiz scored his first goal for the club as he headed home a Nicolas Pepe corner. The scoreline would stay the same until the 90th minute in a match void of quality from both sides. Neither side seemed to take the game by the scruff of the neck, only mustering up four shots on target between them.
Here are five talking points from Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
#5 A tale of two halves for Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has taken the Cherries from League Two to the verge of playing in Europe. The young English manager has done a wondrous job down by the coast, so much so that he can leave the Emirates frustrated not to have picked up any points. Bournemouth looked a shadow of their former selves in the first half, they were lacklustre in their press and toothless in attack. This allowed the Gunners to have a comfortable half, in which they eased to a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, the Cherries completely flipped the switch. They dominated the Gunners throughout the half, leaving them to resort to only counter attacks. As a team, Eddie Howe’s men pressed cohesively, forcing Arsenal to play the ball out long.
Bournemouth would have certainly taken at least a point from this match if Calum Wilson had scored in front of an open goal. Regardless, Bournemouth can leave with their heads held high as they attempted 10 shots, completed 312 passes and shared 47.5% of the possession at the Emirates.
#4 Bukayo Saka starts again
It’s clear to everyone that Unai Emery sees Bukayo Saka as an important part of his first-team plans. The 18-year-old made cameos in pre-season, enough for him to force his way into Arsenal’s starting XI.
After a short but impressive first Premier League start against Aston Villa, Saka was trusted to play at Old Trafford and now again vs. Bournemouth. The 18-year-old has battled his way past the likes of Reiss Nelson and the exiled Mesut Özil to be part of Arsenal’s front three. So far, Saka has provided one assist in the league, an impressive return for a youngster.
In another encouraging performance, Saka impressively completed three successful take-ons, created two chances, completed 16 passes and won three tackles. It’s worth noting that the youngster played well on both flanks in the same game, leaving all but no excuses for Nicolas Pepe’s performance.
#3 Gabriel Martinelli's PL debut
Continuing the encouraging theme of introducing youth players in the first team, Unai Emery handed Gabriel Martinelli his first-ever appearance in the Premier League. Having scored four goals in two games in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup respectively, Martinelli had done enough in the manager’s mind to feature in the league. Coming on for the absent Nicolas Pepe, the 18-year-old had 30 minutes to justify his manager’s decision.
In his time on the pitch, the Brazilian’s energy was infectious. His willingness to press the Bournemouth defence lifted the entire mood of the Emirates. This was timely, as Eddie Howe’s men had just taken control of the game and penned the Gunners into their own half. In his short cameo, the 18-year-old still won two aerials, made four tackles, attempted 1 shot and completed 4 passes in a hardworking cameo appearance.
#2 Calum Chambers impresses at RB
Ever since Hector Bellerín suffered a terrible knee injury last year, Arsenal have had a right-back crisis on their hands. Last season, the Gunners had to make do with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Stephan Lichtsteiner, and Carl Jenkinson battling it out for the position. As hard as they all tried, none of them was good enough for a top-six club. This season, Calum Chambers has bundled his way into that position, finally benching the uncomfortable Maitland-Niles.
Chambers chance to displace Maitland-Niles came in the 3-2 win against Villa, a match in which Maitland-Niles was sent off, opening the door for Chambers. Since then, Chambers has scored one and assisted three in just four games at RB. Against the Cherries, the 24-year-old excelled again, winning four tackles, one interception, four clearances whilst completing 27 passes. Hector Bellerín is finally back to full fitness but at this rate, will he be able to displace Chambers?
#1 Another misfiring game for Nicolas Pepe
It’s no secret that the Premier League is a whole different ball game to the rest of Europe. Talented players from all over the world try to make a name for themselves here, but only the elite succeed. Nicolas Pepe is the next in a long list of foreign players to try their hand in North London. However, the Ivorian hasn’t yet lived up to his £72 million price tag. Against Bournemouth, the 24-year-old put in another anonymous performance.
Out on the right-hand side, Pepe was incapable of doing anything right. In fact, even the basics like simple passes and crosses, the Ivorian couldn’t provide. In fact, Pepe misplaced five passes and was dispossessed three times in another forgettable outing. With the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli making their mark, Pepe needs to improve the quality of his performances quickly.
