A concern in the performance, or is it okay to do just enough right now?

Arsenal opened up a four point gap over Manchester City after they drew with Sunderland on Thursday night. The Citizens were unlucky not to get a single goal against Sunderland, but were also fortunate to not concede. For Arsenal, this was great news, but the objective always remains the same. Win the next game. Up next for Arsenal was a tricky trip to Bournemouth. We lost this fixture last season after William Saliba’s red card. They also beat us at the Emirates this year, towards the back end of the 24/25 campaign. So, we haven’t beaten Andoni Iraola’s side since the 23/24 season. Iraola’s team are also on a 10 game winless run, so they’ll be determined to stop that dismal form.

First Half

Arsenal started the game on the back foot due to Bournemouth’s intense start. However, control was regained fairly quickly and with that brought the first big chance of the game. Noni Madueke skipped past a few challenges and found himself in the box. I think he thought he had less time than he realised as he skied his shot, despite having the space to compose himself. Arsenal were playing keep ball as Bournemouth continued their high intensity press. It worked for Bournemouth as they forced Gabriel into an unforgivable mistake. He attempted to play a switched pass to Jurrien Timber, but completely fluffed it and instead the ball landed at Evanilson’s feet. David Raya was out of the goal to make an angle and Saliba was towards the other side of the box, essentially, Evanilson had an open goal and he made no mistake. However, Gabriel was able to redeem himself moments later with an equaliser. Madueke took the ball around Antoine Semenyo and fired the ball into a crowd of players. The constant rebounds fell at the feet of two Arsenal players, who were blocked off. Gabriel was the last man standing and he fortunately had a clear sight of goal and smashed it home. At that point you’d expect Arsenal to kick on, but it was the Cherries that responded with greater urgency. Despite not having a shot on target, they were keeping our box busy and Raya had to remain on his toes. A few efforts flew marginally wide of the post. However, that was all the first half could handle.

Second Half

Neither side particularly started the 2nd half strong, but it leaned towards Bournemouth with the better of the possession. But, Declan Rice decided to stamp his authority on the game with a delightful finish. Viktor Gyokeres found himself wrestling with four or five Bournemouth defenders, but was able to influence the ball landing at Martin Odegaard’s feet. His almost telepathic instinct to know where Rice was going to be running was crucial. It was a perfectly weighted lay off that Rice slotted in to the corner of the goal. Iraola’s men then tried to steal back the momentum and had a few efforts of their own, but couldn’t quite muster anything that troubled Raya. Marcus Tavernier’s low driven shot was the pick of the chances. Arsenal were able to solidify their position as Rice added a third. Odegaard’s through ball for Bukayo Saka was perfectly executed. Saka’s determination to reach the ball before the goalkeeper was also crucial as it meant Rice had an open goal to aim for. Saka was able to nudge back into the box where Rice was waiting. 3-1. Bournemouth seemed to be limping towards the finish line, no one scores more than two against Arsenal. But, Junior Kroupi decided to put that to the test. His drive from long range was too powerful for Raya to stop and the game was suddenly 3-2 and with 15 minutes of normal time left, injury time would likely take it beyond 20 minutes. However, Bournemouth didn’t really make use of the time and all of the chances fell for Arsenal. Mikel Merino volleyed one from long range that forced a save. Gabriel Jesus tried his luck from close range, but the angle didn’t favour him. Despite a last minute long throw for Bournemouth, that was all the game had to offer.

Statistics

As the game sort of suggests, Bournemouth actually enjoyed the better of the chances. The home side had 15 shots, 3 of which were on target. This generated an xG of 1.43, with 1 big chance created. Arsenal, on the other hand, only had 12 shots. But, 5 were on target. This only generated an xG of 1.13 and 2 big chances created.

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Raya – 7 – It was an okay game from Raya. They only had three shots on target, one was effectively an open goal and another was a long range strike that maybe he could’ve adjusted his feet better for. The shot on target that didn’t result in a goal was a simple save. But, he’s effective with his feet and we needed that at times.

Timber – 7 – I feel as though he was let down by his team mates in this one. He always battles hard defensively, but struggled to really affect the attacking zones. This was largely due to the whole team struggling. He did have a pretty good relationship with Madueke as they exchanged some nice passes.

Saliba – 7 – Neither goal was anything to do with him. He was also the most composed defender we had on the pitch. Numerous times his calm natured approach really settled down our play. A solid display.

Gabriel – 7 – Scoring a goal normally means a higher rating, but that mistake for the first goal was just awful. In what universe did he think that the right thing to do. However, he did redeem himself and became more composed as the game went on.

Hincapie – 6 – I like what he offers defensively. He’s strong in his duels and is quick enough to not let any attacker escape him. However, Semenyo was able to get around him a couple of times, but with the use of another player. It was Hincapie’s play further up the pitch that results in the low rating. He had no chemistry with Martinelli at all and the left hand side was rendered ineffective as a result.

Zubimendi – 7 – He struggled to handle Bournemouth’s intensity in the first half. He gave the ball away on a few occasions and just couldn’t adapt to the speed of the game. However, he had some moments where his intelligence came to the front, but wasn’t capitalised upon by his colleagues. One of those moments was when he won the ball in Bournemouth’s half and left Arsenal outnumbering the defenders. However, Odegaard eventually ruined the whole move. He was better in the 2nd half and helped deal with the late Bournemouth pressure.

Rice – 9 (MOTM) – The first half display felt like it wasn’t going his way and perhaps the knee injury was taking its toll. However, he was a man transformed in that 2nd half and pretty much dragged the whole team over the line. It’s not to say he wasn’t decent in the first half, but compared to his 2nd half, no comparison.

Odegaard – 7 – I wasn’t overly impressed with the whole of his game, but he provided two key moments that defined the match. His perfectly weighted lay off for Rice’s first goal and then a perfectly weighted through ball for Saka to provide an assist for Rice’s second goal. Great players will provide key moments in games they play badly in, that’s what separates them. It’s also another assist to add to his tally.

Madueke – 8 – I really enjoyed his performance in the first half. His desire to drive at his opponent was excellent to watch. The chance he created himself, in the opening 10 minutes, is exactly the type of player we need. No one in the team can run at his man and beat them with pace and skill, Madueke can. He was also instrumental for the first goal due to some great play getting it beyond Semenyo.

Gyokeres – 7 – Can’t live with him, can’t live without him. For the amount of goals Arsenal have scored this season and he still hasn’t hit double digits, that’s not good enough. But, whenever he’s taken off, something changes within the Arsenal system and it usually results in conceding a goal. His ability as an outlet is crucial to alleviating pressure. He commands one, two or even three defenders to closely watch his movement. It allows others to progress up the pitch and find gaps. He provided the gritty work needed for Rice’s first goal.

Martinelli – 4 – What I saw in the Crystal Palace game last month was just a different player entirely, I’m sure of it. Whoever it was that played against Bournemouth should never return. It was blunt, uninspiring and awful to watch. He couldn’t beat his man and couldn’t deliver a half decent final ball. There was a moment he was able to break free from the defenders and he spotted Madueke’s run, but his cross was genuinely abysmal and it wasn’t even a hard cross to make. Yes he played a role in one of the goals, by winning a header, but aside from that he was just awful.

Substitutes

Merino – 7 – I actually didn’t mind that performance from him. I think he complimented Zubimendi and Rice really well in the closing stages. His positioning was effective and was an option for the defence to pass to when they needed to clear the lines. He also popped up with a couple of chances.

Saka – 7 – He did really well for Rice’s second goal. His determination and speed to get to the pass ahead of the goalkeeper was brilliant. Then to have the quick thinking to lay it off for Rice was excellent. However, he struggled to sustain that attacking threat on the right.

Jesus – 5 – He was brought on to compound Bournemouth’s misery and, while we did score after he came on, he played no part in the actual goal. In fact, towards the closing stages, he kept giving the ball away and giving Bournemouth a chance to get the ball back up the pitch. Overall, not an impressive cameo.

Trossard – 6 – Much the same as Jesus, but provided just a little bit more security. However, he was dispossessed a couple of times in dangerous areas, but ultimately led to nothing. Certainly not at his best in this one.

Summary

It wasn’t a pretty performance, but it was vital we took all three points. Especially considering Manchester City dropped points against Chelsea, leaving us six points clear at the top. But, what’s refreshing is that we’re taking our chances. Seven goals in two games is much better than it taking five games to score seven goals. There are some concerns within that Bournemouth performance, but it’s impossible to be dominant in every match. Sometimes you have to take your chances, keep out as much as you can and then run away with three points. We got our big result against Aston Villa, but Bournemouth deserved at least a point. It’s a long season and we’ve got a huge month ahead of us, so rotation will be key. Players like Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Norgaard, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Ethan Nwaneri will all be vital in our challenge across all four fronts. Depth is king so far this season and ours has been put to the test. Liverpool at home next.

Predicted Lineup

We have Portsmouth in the FA Cup at the weekend which we can heavily rotate in, but Liverpool at home we need to go all out for. They’re missing a handful of crucial players that will really reduce how effective they’ll be. Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah are definitely out, but the interesting one is that Hugo Ekitike could also be missing this tie with a hamstring injury. Despite the injuries, they’re still a dangerous side and we need our best players on it. The team picks itself, but I have gone for Eze ahead of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. He’s well rested and can provide an enormous threat off the left. This team should have plenty in them to win. Let’s get it!