Heading into the weekend it was clear to see that there were a few games that ‘stood out’ in terms of importance, and Bournemouth vs Arsenal was certainly one of them. Both clubs have had fantastic starts to the Premier League season and have high aspirations for the busy winter period and beyond, but in the end, there was only one side who came out on top as Unai Emery’s team edged out a deserved 2-1 win over the Cherries at Vitality Stadium.
Good, but not good enough
Bournemouth were certainly up to the challenge and it was evident to see that they came for the points in this one, although they were edged out 59%-41% in the possession stats with Arsenal getting in 20 shots compared to the hosts’ 11. Those figures won’t mean all too much to some fans and we can understand that, but either way, it’s worth noting that they’ve earned a lot of fans’ respect this season already.
The game was goalless until the half hour mark when Jefferson Lerma volleyed the ball into the back of his own net, in one of the most bizarre finishes that you’re likely to see this season – or even this decade.
An entertaining showdown
A nice counter attack from Eddie Howe’s side ensured that they went into the half time interval on level terms, though, with the returning Joshua King being the man to finish things off, which further proves just how valuable he is to that team. In the end it didn’t matter for Bournemouth, though, as that man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner with just under 25 minutes remaining to move Arsenal to within just a point of the top four.
Bournemouth will go back to the drawing board with some suggesting that the wheels are starting to fall off of their push for the European spots, with another tough game against Manchester City waiting just around the corner. Arsenal’s attention will turn towards a midweek trip to Ukraine, as they take on Vorskla in the Europa League before their huge derby game against Tottenham Hotspur next weekend.
Match Report
Bournemouth: Begovic (6), Francis (6), Cook (6), Ake (5.5), Daniels (5.5), Brooks (6), Gosling (6.5), Lerma (5), Fraser (6), Wilson (5.5), King (6.5)
Arsenal: Leno (6.5), Mustafi (6.5), Papastathopoulos (6), Holding (6.5), Bellerin (6.5), Torreira (7), Xhaka (6.5), Kolasinac (6), Mkhitaryan (5), Iwobi (6.5), Aubemayang (7)
Referee: Craig Pawson
Goals: King :: Lerma OG, Aubameyang
Yellow Cards: Ake, Lerma, Papastathopoulos
Red Cards: N/A
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