Recording their first win of the Premier League season against Arsenal was bound to be a difficult task for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth – but with the threat of demotion into the bottom three lingering over the Cherries ahead of Saturday’s clash, many hoped for a resilient performance.
BOU: Neto; Kerkez, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Aarons; Cook, Christie; Kluivert, Billing, Tavernier; Solanke
ARS: Raya; Zinchenko, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Havertz, Rice, Ødegaard; Jesus, Nketiah, Saka
It took just over fifteen minutes for Arsenal to seize a well-deserved lead on the South Coast, with Bukayo Saka bundling a simple finish over the line after Gabriel Jesus struck the post with a headed effort.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat lead would be doubled on the stroke of half-time by Martin Ødegaard, with the captain strutting up to the penalty spot with a remarkable composure – rolling his effort into the bottom-left corner after Eddie Nketiah had been fouled inside the area by Max Aarons.
The Gunners would be granted another opportunity from twelve yards out at the beginning of the first half, and with a comfortable lead already secured, Kai Havertz was given the responsibilities. The ex-Chelsea midfielder made no mistake with his finish, slotting an effort to the left after seeing Neto lean towards the right.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut the rout wasn’t over there – and Ben White added Arsenal’s fourth in stoppage time after a flurry of squandered chances from his teammates. Latching onto the end of Ødegaard’s free-kick delivery, the defender’s unmarked header left Neto helpless.
Bournemouth drop into the bottom three as a result of Saturday’s defeat, and will be keen to pick up points against Everton on Saturday – with the Toffees also struggling to find form this season. As for Arsenal, they must venture to RC Lens in midweek before worrying about Sunday’s clash with Manchester City.
