A game of small margins much to Bournemouth's frustration as a dubious offside decision ruling out an 8th minute lead for the host which would have seen them deservedly be ahead early and in control. It wasn't to be with a lying down Mustafi proving to be Arsenal's saviour, albeit with a huge element of fortune. However, after a slow start, Arsenal picked up and began to build and press, and looked to dominate as the better team and after half an hour some good wing play by Sead Kolasinac was rewarded as Bournemouth midfield man Jefferson Lerma ploughed home an attempted block into his own net. 1-0 and a rocket of a finish but again more fortune in Arsenals favour.
Approaching the half time mark, Bouremouth were back in the game and deservedly so. They were never out of the game at any point and having dealt with an Arsenal corner suddenly broke with real pace. Spreading play and driving forward, Arsenal's defence was stretched and the spare man was the attacker Josh King who curled home left footed into the top corner. The strike left Leno with no chance but at 1-1 niether team could really feel too hard done by.
The second half started and much like we are now used to seeing under Unai Emery, it was almost a different Arsenal team. Without chief creator Mesut Ozil, who was dropped to the bench in favour of a back three, the Gunners weren't looking at the fluent best for long periods. However, play eventually came out to the impressive Kolasinac once again and, with Lacazette out of the match day squad altogether, central striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was hitting the six yard box at the perfect time. A nice low cross from the Arsenal left wing back, combining whip with precision and power, found Aubameyang between the posts where he just couldn't miss. 2-1 and Arsenal were in control again. But for a few hairy moments late on, where Bournemouth laid seige to Leno's net at times, Arsenal came through victorious. Back to winning ways just at the right time, and a great confidence boost ahead of the Emery's first NLD next Sunday.
Player Ratings:
Bernd Leno: 7.5
A fairly comfortable day between the pipes for the German who did well at times, and continues to impress with the ball at his feet. Had no chance for King's curling finish that found the top corner. Stood strong at set pieces and did extremely well to handle one particular corner where it looked a certain foul on him.
Shkodran Mustafi: 6
Not the best from the German centre back in this one. He surprinsgly looked rusty and a yard off the pace. Not necessarily the running pace but his decision making was generally poor. His footballing ability remains fine just the key defending side of his game continues to be so up and down.
Rob Holding: 7
Pretty solid again from Holding, who, much like the other two, had to deal with a change in system. And although the system got the result, Holding looks far more accomplished in a flat back four. Clearly vocal and always calm on the ball, his decision making again impressed as in the middle of the three, there was always something to do or someone to handle.
Sokratis: 6.5
Much like Mustafi, this wasn't the big Greek's best day. He started well however, and hustled and bustled his way through Wilson, King and co but as the game went on, his stamp became less and the legs of Bournemouth exposed him a little. Perhaps the most comfortable in a back three and therefore looked most at home when being dragged out wide.
Hector Bellerin: 6.5
We're so used to seeing fine but not good, or average but not terrible from Hector Bellerin these days, and it was more of the same yesterday. In a more forward thinking wing back role he remained committed to going forward and kept up his levels for the full ninety. Got involved plenty of times but the woeful day of his attacker ahead meant an average day for the young Spaniard.
Lucas Torreira: 8
Awarded Man of the Match as he consistently delivered to exceptional levels until his withdrawal late in the game. Fans even got a glimpse of his forward prowess as he strode forward from midfield and let fly from outside the box only to find the far post. A willing runner as always, great at intercepting and a good anticipator, he continues to do the dirty work allowing his partner Xhaka to get on the ball and control the game.
Granit Xhaka: 7
Creator in chief today withoue Ozil in the side. Did an average job in all areas and deserves a mid-level mark. Dictated Arsenal's play well, and looked comfortable in the tweaked formation. Should have been the one withdrawn late on instead of Torreira, as he looked just as tired. Lead well as skipper on the day and is beginning to drop the stupid tackles and pointless yellows from his game.
Sead Kolasinac: 8
Two assists and a very close second in my Man of the Match poll, as the left back put on a superb attacking display in his more natural wing back position. Looks most at home with the ball at his feet, and his link up play with the likes of Iwobi, Xhaka and Aubameyang was equally impressive. Slowy chnaged people's opinions with a strong of good performances now and I'd say an almost ready-made replacement when Monreal decides to move on.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5
Poor from the Armenian in this one. Every shot was off targeted and much of his attacking play came to nothing. Found it hard to stay in the game at times even though he was playing from that false winger role where you'd think he'd be so comfortable. Just wasn't his day and if it wasn't for injuries to Lacazette and Welbeck, could have found himself missing out on the starting XI.
Alex Iwobi: 6.5
Better than his Armenian colleague but still not great. Carried the ball well and did better at staying in the games and always making himself available. Needs to tidy up on some of the basics as things like a ten yard pass often look difficult, and even then his thinking sometimes lets him down. All the talent in the feet, he now just needs to grow his football brain.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 7.5
The match winner and rightfully so as he lead the line well, stretched Bournmouth's centre backs and run the full backs ragged all game. Linked well which often his downfall compared to that of Alex Lacazette but other than scoring more goals on the day, there was little more he could do given the circumstances. Usually lives of Lacazette and Ozil link up so with both of the line up, it took some getting used to.
Substitutes:
Matteo Guendouzi: 4
Played the final twelve minutes or so and steadied the centre of the park. Passed well, generally sideways but gave the game exactly what it needed for the final stanza.
Aaron Ramsey: N/A
Replaced Alex Iwobi with five minutes plus stoppage left, and had one forward play of note.
Eddie Nketiah: N/A
Entered the fray for the final minute or so.
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