Another drab and dreary performance left supports almost looking forward to the international break for a change, yet somehow we find ourselves with a '1-0 to the Arsenal!' victory, 3 points in the bag, and up to third in the league just a solitary point behind the champions of England. What a perplexing and funny old sport football can be sometimes!
The first half was certainly the interesting one and was bordering on impressive (Should we have found a little more attacking impetus), at least for the first half an hour. Arsenal were dominant on the ball, we scored out goal, didn't let Bournemouth out of their own half and managed 8 shots (Albeit only 2 were on target). The goal didn't come from the sustained pressure however, but instead from a set-piece and it was rather simple. Pepe swung in a great corner that Luiz ran onto to divert towards the far post and trickle just past Ramsdale's outstretched hand for his first goal in Arsenal colours.
For all the pressure and possession during the first half, no further real chances of note came. Creativity was lacking and it was a lot of huffing and puffing. A curled effort just wide and high, plus a stonewall penalty on Pepe somehow not given by VAR was the closest we came. Solanke had Bournemouth's best effort of the half, heading wide from a free kick when he should have got it on target at the least.
Arsenal came out in the second half rather sluggish and almost allowed Bournemouth to get their foot into the game early on in the first half. Within 5 minutes Calum Wilson let Arsenal off the hook. He dribbled his way through the heart of our back 4 camped on the edge of box, before taking the ball round Leno, but instead of rolling the ball into an empty net, albeit at a bit of an angle, he opted for the cut back to his strike partner. Fortunately, Chambers was on hand to get a foot in and clear the ball away from danger. Aubameyang came close to putting a little gloss on the scoreline with his only chance of the game very late on, stretching to toe poke a low cross onto the post. There was still time for one final Bournemouth effort, but it was right down Leno's throat and presented no threat, a nice summary of the match on the whole.
Ratings:
Emery - 6
I have some sympathy for Emery, it was the 3rd game in the space of a week and players need their rest following Europa league commitments and gradual returns from significant injuries, so that did limit his options somewhat. Ceballos was the only player to keep their place following Thursday's outing in an attempt to connect the midfield and attack, but it was again glaringly obvious that a certain german, who has been VERY well rested, would have been best suited to the role yet was again left at home altogether. A scenario that's becoming ludicrous and could be seen to be harming the team and performances.
Leno - 7
Wasn't seriously tested throughout the match but did the basics well when called upon. Also managed to force Wilson just about wide enough that made the angle difficult to score from once rounded, an under rated piece of goalkeeping.
Chambers - 8 (MOTM)
Yet another fantastic defensive display despite playing out of position. Whilst one player cannot necessarily make all the difference, it seems a little coincidental that our best defensive showings have come with Chambers playing in the side. Provided the best Arsenal chance of the game outside of the game when Auba hit the post late on, and managed 2 fantastic interceptions to prevent a Bournemouth goal.
Luiz - 7
Defended well and remained calm throughout the game, despite not being tested too extensively. Got the goal to win the game and give us three points.
Sokratis - 6
Also had little to do, but did the basics well enough without making any errors, can't complain!
Kolasinac - 6
Had one superb piece of fullback play in the first half to drive away from our goal and win a free kick to alleviate some danger. Otherwise wasn't tested too much but provided little going in either direction.
Xhaka - 6
Didn't play particularly poorly, nor did he play particularly well. Made several fouls, some sensible to break up the play but some a little needless also though did manage to avoid a booking so can't have too many complaints.
Guendouzi - 6
Showed plenty of endeavour and worked hard, but the end product wasn't to be seen or found when we needed it.
Ceballos - 6
Looked to make things happen but couldn't find the killer pass. Also worked hard and put himself about but was found wanting when it came to linking the midfield and attack.
Saka - 7
Arguably our brightest player on the pitch. Showed plenty of energy and gave Stacey at right back a lot to think about. Wasn't his day like it wasn't quite anyone's day, but is certainly an exciting livewire.
Aubameyang - 6
Struggled to get into the game and looked like he was in need of a rest as didn't appear to run as much as he usually would. I have some sympathy as he was given almost zero service until injury time, but usually he looks to drop into midfield and find the ball if he isn't receiving any service though this wasn't evident today.
Pepe - 6.5
Alongside Saka was arguably our brightest player going forward. A great corner got him an assist, he curled an effort just wide and high of the angle, and should have had a stonewall penalty. As Arsenal fell back into their shell and stopped venturing forward, it impacted his performance however and was unfortunate to be substituted as a result.
Martinelli - 6.5
A bright half an hour when he came on. Also curled an effort slightly higher and slightly wider than Pepe did in the first half but showed plenty of promise.
Willock - 6
Only played 15 minutes, had little time to contribute to the game.
Torreira - N/A
@groningergooner
The first half was certainly the interesting one and was bordering on impressive (Should we have found a little more attacking impetus), at least for the first half an hour. Arsenal were dominant on the ball, we scored out goal, didn't let Bournemouth out of their own half and managed 8 shots (Albeit only 2 were on target). The goal didn't come from the sustained pressure however, but instead from a set-piece and it was rather simple. Pepe swung in a great corner that Luiz ran onto to divert towards the far post and trickle just past Ramsdale's outstretched hand for his first goal in Arsenal colours.
For all the pressure and possession during the first half, no further real chances of note came. Creativity was lacking and it was a lot of huffing and puffing. A curled effort just wide and high, plus a stonewall penalty on Pepe somehow not given by VAR was the closest we came. Solanke had Bournemouth's best effort of the half, heading wide from a free kick when he should have got it on target at the least.
Arsenal came out in the second half rather sluggish and almost allowed Bournemouth to get their foot into the game early on in the first half. Within 5 minutes Calum Wilson let Arsenal off the hook. He dribbled his way through the heart of our back 4 camped on the edge of box, before taking the ball round Leno, but instead of rolling the ball into an empty net, albeit at a bit of an angle, he opted for the cut back to his strike partner. Fortunately, Chambers was on hand to get a foot in and clear the ball away from danger. Aubameyang came close to putting a little gloss on the scoreline with his only chance of the game very late on, stretching to toe poke a low cross onto the post. There was still time for one final Bournemouth effort, but it was right down Leno's throat and presented no threat, a nice summary of the match on the whole.
Ratings:
Emery - 6
I have some sympathy for Emery, it was the 3rd game in the space of a week and players need their rest following Europa league commitments and gradual returns from significant injuries, so that did limit his options somewhat. Ceballos was the only player to keep their place following Thursday's outing in an attempt to connect the midfield and attack, but it was again glaringly obvious that a certain german, who has been VERY well rested, would have been best suited to the role yet was again left at home altogether. A scenario that's becoming ludicrous and could be seen to be harming the team and performances.
Leno - 7
Wasn't seriously tested throughout the match but did the basics well when called upon. Also managed to force Wilson just about wide enough that made the angle difficult to score from once rounded, an under rated piece of goalkeeping.
Chambers - 8 (MOTM)
Yet another fantastic defensive display despite playing out of position. Whilst one player cannot necessarily make all the difference, it seems a little coincidental that our best defensive showings have come with Chambers playing in the side. Provided the best Arsenal chance of the game outside of the game when Auba hit the post late on, and managed 2 fantastic interceptions to prevent a Bournemouth goal.
Luiz - 7
Defended well and remained calm throughout the game, despite not being tested too extensively. Got the goal to win the game and give us three points.
Sokratis - 6
Also had little to do, but did the basics well enough without making any errors, can't complain!
Kolasinac - 6
Had one superb piece of fullback play in the first half to drive away from our goal and win a free kick to alleviate some danger. Otherwise wasn't tested too much but provided little going in either direction.
Xhaka - 6
Didn't play particularly poorly, nor did he play particularly well. Made several fouls, some sensible to break up the play but some a little needless also though did manage to avoid a booking so can't have too many complaints.
Guendouzi - 6
Showed plenty of endeavour and worked hard, but the end product wasn't to be seen or found when we needed it.
Ceballos - 6
Looked to make things happen but couldn't find the killer pass. Also worked hard and put himself about but was found wanting when it came to linking the midfield and attack.
Saka - 7
Arguably our brightest player on the pitch. Showed plenty of energy and gave Stacey at right back a lot to think about. Wasn't his day like it wasn't quite anyone's day, but is certainly an exciting livewire.
Aubameyang - 6
Struggled to get into the game and looked like he was in need of a rest as didn't appear to run as much as he usually would. I have some sympathy as he was given almost zero service until injury time, but usually he looks to drop into midfield and find the ball if he isn't receiving any service though this wasn't evident today.
Pepe - 6.5
Alongside Saka was arguably our brightest player going forward. A great corner got him an assist, he curled an effort just wide and high of the angle, and should have had a stonewall penalty. As Arsenal fell back into their shell and stopped venturing forward, it impacted his performance however and was unfortunate to be substituted as a result.
Martinelli - 6.5
A bright half an hour when he came on. Also curled an effort slightly higher and slightly wider than Pepe did in the first half but showed plenty of promise.
Willock - 6
Only played 15 minutes, had little time to contribute to the game.
Torreira - N/A
@groningergooner
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