Result: Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 25th November 2018
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang
Subs: Cech, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ramsey, Ozil, Guendouzi, Nketiah
A second half poacher’s strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped Arsenal overcome Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium as Unai Emery’s side extended their unbeaten run to 17 games.
The Gunners, who were much better after the break, were made to work hard for their win after Josh King’s strike in first half stoppage time had cancelled out Jefferson Lerma’s spectacular own goal.
The result doesn’t affect Arsenal’s league place, we stay in fifth, but we have closed the gap on Chelsea to a point before we face Sp*rs at the Emirates next weekend.
First half
Bournemouth were by far the brighter side in the opening stages, hustling our midfielders and looking to play quick passes inside the channels of our three-man defence. Both Wilson and King seemed to enjoy life against Mustafi and Sokratis, neither of whom looked particularly convincing alongside the more level-headed Holding.
Our German was on his arse in the box playing David Brooks onside when the Welshman slotted home on eight minutes. An offside flag came as a relief but if VAR had been an option, it would have been a goal.
Torreira, a bright spark in the hazy sunshine, almost punished the home side immediately. Taking matters into his own hands, he drove through the midfield and unleashed a shot from outside the box that clattered off the post. Iwobi’s effort on the rebound flew high and wide.
That aside, we really struggled to play our game in the opening 20 minutes with Leno often resorting to long balls aimed at Aubameyang. The Gabon international looked very isolated with Iwobi and Mkhitaryan offering little support.
Mustafi and Sokratis both earned the attention of the referee Craig Pawson who ticked off the German for cleaning out Ryan Fraser. The Greek earned a booking for wrestling King on the edge of the Arsenal box and was lucky that Leno could push away Fraser’s free-kick as it arrowed towards the top corner.
Less than impressed by the way the game was being handled, the travelling Gooners directed their ire at the officials. “This ref is shit,” could be heard on repeat as Torreira picked up the ball on 30 minutes and picked out Kolasinac racing down the left.
The full-back pulled the ball back hoping to pick out a teammate but before any could get to the ball, Colombian Jefferson Lerma crashed the ball home on the volley. It was a real shame for him that it was past his own keeper, a lovely finish. (1-0)
After the goal, we started to exert our dominance. Iwobi took advantage of space in front of him to try his luck from the edge of the box. His considered, curling effort was tipped around the post by Begovic.
Not long after, a Bellerin cross was cleared as men in spearmint lined up to convert and Mkhitaryan, who for the most part had a shocking half, fluffed two efforts; one over the bar and another straight at the keeper.
For the first time this season it looked as though we might carry a lead into half-time, but then we got caught on the break as we pushed for a second goal and King, fed by Brooks, found the top corner with a cracking finish. (1-1)
What was it Rob Holding was saying this week about us being much better against opposition counter-attacks? Hmm.
Second half
Arsenal were noticeably more aggressive after the break. We seemed to press a little higher up the pitch and allowed the home side far less time on the ball to pick out passes.
Torreira, after some trademarked midfield pickpocketing, had a shot deflected over and Mkhitaryan, after stealing the ball from Lerma near the Bournemouth box, found Aubameyang who squandered a decent chance by shooting over.
Within two minutes our record signing made amends, finishing off a lovely team goal that started with a free-kick after Lerma had hauled down Mustafi and earned a booking. Quick, short passing worked the ball from Torreira to Kolasinac via Xhaka and Iwobi before Auba, at the back post, slid in to restore the lead. It was his eighth goal of the Premier League season and Kola’s second assist of the match. (2-1)
We might have had a third soon after. Aubameyang stole the ball on the halfway line, bound forward and slipped in Mkhitaryan who never looked like he was going to score and promptly scuffed the ball out for a goal kick.
As Bournemouth tried to bounce back, we looked to capitalise on the break. Kolasinac did brilliantly down the left to create a chance for himself but could only find the side netting with a drilled effort. And Mkhitaryan, once again, made a hash of a shot that flew over. Somehow the Armenian was left on while Torreira and Iwobi were replaced by Guendouzi and Ozil Ramsey.
There were nervy moments at the other end as well. Stanislas, on as a sub, had a chance to level but his toe-poked effort from five yards didn’t have enough pace to trouble Leno.
More scary was a Lerma effort that crashed off the post from long range and a cross that Leno grabbed from the head of Wilson following a decisive Sokratis deflection. Another deflection from the Greek, this time diverting a last minute corner goalwards, forced the German to push the ball off his goal line.
Just to add to the drama, in the fifth of four minutes of stoppage time, Mustafi conceded a free-kick on the edge of the Arsenal box with a ridiculous foul on Wilson. Stanislas lined up the ball knowing his kick would be the last of the game. He couldn’t find the target. The travelling support breathed a huge sigh of relief.
A decent win. Not a pretty one. But important nonetheless.
Great to win again. Well done Auba, class act.
And that was an Ozil pass from Iwobi!
Good 3 points, an ugly win, but who cares.
Disappointed with Mikhi though. He falls asleep in defensive duities and squanders in front of their goals.
If only they had more than one goal, he might manage to hit one of them
Glad we’re back to winning ways. Iwobi again with the decisive penetrating pass to set up the assist for the winner. The guy has been immense for us this season. Hope he carries that form into the big game next week and help us thrash the Spuds.
Very important win today. Yesterday’s results mean that we’re now just 1 point off Chelsea and 6 ahead of United. We got exactly what we needed!
Winning ugly over Xmas. The spuds will rip us apart if we don’t improve defensively though.
Thought that before the Liverpool game and in the end we should have won it. Bring on the scum.
Agreed. I think Bournemouth are better than people are giving them credit for. To go there and get a win is no laughing matter.
Phew!! Kept me on the edge of my seat until the last second. Honestly, it was 86th minute, Xhaka trying to pick out a pass from his own penalty box, just hoof it!!!
Terrible clearance the lead to them hitting the post, then getting caught on the edge of the box a minute later, he really is a cabbage sometimes
scrappy, but we’ll take it. 2 real tests coming up.
That was a real test. A huge 3 points.
No, two easy games coming COYG! 🙂
Very fast blogs, 3 points much appreciated.
Mkhitaryan wow. He’s getting worse.
Mustafi, I expect it now. We’ll keep surviving despite him. That freekick at the end, peak Mustafi.
henrik was very disappointing. I’m worried about him.
Honestly I don’t understand how he could play like he did.
Mkhitaryan’s confidence is on the floor at the moment, I think Unais trying to play him into form but it’s not working
But why is my question? He’s getting minutes, he’s playing for fucking Arsenal, he’s getting paid higher than almost anyone else on the team. I don’t understand the emotional fragility.
Mikhi has been playing bad for two years including his Man U time. He once warned us fans not to expect Mikhi from Dortmund. He must have very strong mental strength, I guess.
He certainly wasn’t bad last season when he first joined us. Scored goals and assists and linked up well with Aub. This year his finishing is terrible
Yeah his first game for us was like holy shit, THIS guy…. Baffling.
I feel that the criticism Mkhitaryan gets is quite harsh. Yes, he tries a lot of things that don’t quite come off and we lose the ball as a result, but he does also contribute a lot of good things. Even today I thought he was good at picking the ball up in midfield, turning and running at their defense. At the moment it just feels like he isn’t really clicking with his teammates – he expects them to be in different areas than those they’re actually in and therefore his passes are off, but once he develops more confidence… Read more »
You look just like that guy who plays for Arsenal.
Mikhi and Granit worked hard in the international break, they both had two really tough games for their countries, Torreira was subbed because he also was feeling the effects of the interlull. I didn’t think they were at their best, but Mikhi did a lot of good work, it was just his shooting and final decision making that was not quite right. He’s good player and he’ll come right, when a player is struggling a bit they need our support more than ever.
Maybe it’s just because my expectations for him are now incredibly low but I didn’t think Mkhi was even that bad today, at least compared to his last couple of performances…
I thought Mikhi was a bit better today too. Clearly still poor, but better. Needs a confidence boost badly! I even thought Mustafi was having a decent game until the second to last action of the game! He just can’t help himself eh!? Big three points, obviously improvement needed but some good signs(?) Am I being too optimistic?
Who got the WORST out of that swap deal with Man U. Both clubs probably
I think Mkhitaryan’s play reflected a possible tactical change from Unal: Arsenal’s build up has been too slow this season and it seems that Iwobi and Mkhitaryan were allowed to take more risks. The inforced back line is designed to absorb the ball losses that will enevitably follow.
It worked well. Bournemouth is a very good team. Arsenal lost this fixture last year and won now. A tactical victory for Emery and a great moral boost for the players.
Nice win, and I’m happy, but how average did Mhyki look today. Imagine if we had a bad ass right winger. I’d put that high on the Xmas shopping list.
The way space kept opening up on that side, this game was crying out for someone with the skill set of, oh, I don’t know, Reiss Nelson?
Today really highlighted that need.
Play Ramsey on the right and see
if it works for a game.
Fuck no.
Just…no.
All set up for a very interesting NLD! If we beat them, we go above them on GD and into the top 4. Emry has to treat this like a final. COYG
Ah man, if we beat them it’s gonna be so sweet! Exciting/nervous times!
Pretty sure ozil didn’t play.
He and Rambo do look alike though, you must admit… I think Blogs is just keeping us on our toes.
You are correct, he was quite invisible today, even if he made it into the match report.
Pity he didn’t as we might have won a great deal easier.
Rode our luck first half but deserved the win with our second half performance. Why replace Torreira with Guendouzi when your protecting a one goal lead?
Maybe to rest him for next week after he played twice for Uruguay.
Thought his passing was off in the first half.
Would like to see the stats on this.
Defensively very solid as akways.
Torreira 59/65 passes today, first half 34/40, second 25/25. (Stats Zone app)
We’re certainly gonna need his aggression and energy in the upcoming schedule. Had a few passes cut out but he was impressive again.
I was going to say ‘Mustafi has played pretty well today’ and then the silly cunt concedes a foul like that in the last minute.
Had my heart in my mouth until the kick was taken.
What happened to the Mkhitaryan who terrorized the Bundesliga a couple years ago??
In an interview just after he arrived at Arsenal he told us not to expect that mkhi anymore. Pretty ridiculous
Aparently he missed the flight out of Germany. I think Miki has confidence issues, the collective performance of the entire team might be what he needs to find form again.
Old age caught up with him.
Hopefully Mkhi just warming up the seat for Nelson to take over next season.Kola great going forward but his defending still scares me.Mustafi was solid all game and the last minute foul was crucial imo(think otherwise the guy scores there).Not gonna rant anymore,away wins are never easy but we must up our games considerably for next week.
Onwards and upwards. #COYG
Big 3 points.
Mustafi was the one player I was sure we would sell in the summer. Proven terrible and cost us points last year. Causes a shaky foundation for the whole team. But here he is, hacking down players on the edge of our box with ten seconds left.
Mhiki and Kolasinac brutal. Iwobi disappointing.
A major plus is stealing three points away like that though. We should be able to rest more on Friday and play a strong team against Spuds. Laca and Ozil can start. Take Mhiki out of the lineup for that one.
Iwobi was just about our best player. Kola shite first half but pretty good second.
Disagree. Iwobi impresses people with physical effort and attempted skill but he rarely gets anywhere. He gets pushed out wide or dispossessed very easy.
The two goals Arsenal scored was due to his incisive play.
Hope people are cottoning on to mhki. Great ability but makes shocking errors with the ball. Hes a strange player. The way we compete and hussle now makes me alotmore forgiving.
3 lovely away points. Don’t care how we got them. Coyg
Can we please play the usual formation and Özil against Spuds?
Don’t listen to him Unai just do your thing! 🙂
Mkhtariyan worked hard today but his end product is worse than a Chinese bulb. Must have ruined a dozen attacking moves for us.
How can you be so disrespectful to a Chinese bulb mate?.. Seriously?.. he was shocking, really. How many easy chances, one on one with the keeper did he not even hit the target?…personally lost count at 3. Unbelievable.
I don’t remember 3 one on ones, I remember him shooting too much rather than passing.
Breathing restore to normal
Still a lot to do for Emery despite a hard earned 3 points today. To get counterattacked on your own corner leading 1-0 in the 46th minute should earn every outfield player a spanking with a leather belt. Mikhtx2 since he gave a shit in tracking back. When trying to keep the ball at the corner flag in second half, you don’t put your weakest player in charge of that. Mustafi doing his standard brainfart is more or less normal. This team lacks proper leadership om the pitch , a Tony Adams type who could control his players according to… Read more »
Sorry but this ‘lacking leadership’ stuff is getting tedious. Does any other top club have a Tony Adams style ‘leader’ in their team nowadays? Who ‘takes the game by the scruff of the neck’, another lazy outdated cliché? Its the British obsession with leadership, as If one player should do it all. Oh, and so the Arsenal of Tony Adams never ever conceded goals, let alone silly ones? Grow up, football has evolved.
Great post Spectator. This should be the subject of a full post by Blogs.
Yes I’m sure Blogs or Tim Stillman could say a lot more on the subject. Thanks.
Sick of this leadership bullshit, we have leaders and we’re grinding out results, why would we need a drunk with a big gob?
That was nail biting stuff!
I’m loving Holding’s confidence and how calm he is, how good is Torreira? Bring it on next week.
Holding absolutely massive today. Such compose, many discipline. Wow. Can’t remember who he absolutely flattened about midway through the second half but I cheered it almost as loud as a goal! Love him!
just how pathetic is Mkhitaryan, he is no way arsenal quality, I don’t even think he could get into a championship team, and I think it would be worth a punt on starting nketiah instead of auba, auba is not doing enough for me, he is to much like Walcott, ( one goal out of 50 attempts), nice to get a win (even if we was lucky, again), but if we can get rid of Mkhitaryan and ozil, and get some quality players into the team, then I think that we could be quite effective
We need Ozil because he is a valuable marketing asset.His impact off the pitch is huge.Plus been decent this season.Mkhi we can surely upgrade that position,agreed.But nketiah over Auba? sure lads a prospect but you are comparing one of the top 10 striker in the world with someone who has two carabao goals to his name.
Bit of perspective always helps.?
I agree about ozil marketing bit, but auba top ten, nah, no way, dropping auba might shake him up a bit
Get rid of our most creative player? Ozil has creates 22 god chances this season ad really wished he had played today
iwobi is far more effective than ozil any day
PEA is now tied with Aguero for the most goals in the league this year.
He’s still better than Sanchez
With all due respect afan you are a complete John Terry
once again iwowbi was our man of the match, holding done well, Mkhitaryan was pathetic, I don’t know why em didn,t take him off, team was reasonable, but, again, very lucky, the next two games are going to be very interesting indeed.
Kola playing as a left sided attacker was frightening and interesting at the same time. Emery knows?? 🙂
If Mustafi doesn’t make the foul and Bournemouth score? He gets crucified, if he makes the foul? He gets crucified….
Once you’re labelled you’re labelled….
Bellerin was very good today, as was Torreira, Iwobi was much better second half, and I was surprised he went off instead of Mkhitaryan.
Rambo is clearly being fazed out with us hoping to get some money back in January, this looks pretty clear… but if anyone is looking for an inconsistent German No10? I’m not sure they’ll need to offer that much in terms of a transfer fee.
We were lucky again today
Don’t really understand your criticism that the formation change wasn’t effective. Kolasinac doesn’t get those assists if we aren’t playing a back 3.
Wasn’t it Rambo that came on?
Yes, fixed now. Reprimand to author dispensed 😉
Wooof, Mkhi. If that performance wasn’t reason enough to play Ramsey (out of position I know) or recall Nelson from the loan. Can we all also come to the consensus that Kolasinac is a burly winger and has no business defending? Watching him waddle back into a semblance of position made my skin crawl and I caught Holding give him a number of “For fuck sakes” looks during the broadcast this morning. Ah Mustafi, while the match wasn’t early on the east coast, he always has a way to wake you up, whether you want it or not. Like some… Read more »
No please don’t play ramsey
I had three observations today: 1. A back three suits Kolasinac much more than a back four. Even though he still looks a little rusty at times, I thought this was his best performance for a while. And since he still wasn’t exactly “great”, I’m encouraged that he could take it to the next level. Not sure sanctioning an entire formation change (which requires leaving out our highest-paid player) in order to accommodate one middling one is worth it, though. 2. Mikhytarian was terrible today. Sure, he had some flashes where he ran with the ball for a bit, but… Read more »
Lerma for a cheap January signing? We need a versatile backup squad player. =P.
Shit, if he can come off the bench and score goals like that one, sign him up.
How consequential was Lerma to our win today? One of the most exquisite own goals ever seen. Then a pull back on one of our cb’s “busting” forward, (deserved yellow) leads to a free kick where Bournemouth finally wakes up with the ball in their net! Outstanding!
I don’t get why Ozil didn’t start. Isn’t this formation more suited to him? Some of his best games were in the 3-4-3 at the end of 16/17 when him and Sanchez would carve defences up from the inside right/left role.
Watched the match on the edge of my seat. The last kick of the match brought prayers to lips. Thank God Stanislas ballooned the ball over the ball. Our defence don’t make things easy at all.
Another thought I had, but how long can this “we aren’t utilizing Aubameyang to his full potential” conversation keep on when he’s tied at the top of the scoring chart with the man leading the line for the most free-scoring team in the league, all while mainly playing from the left? I’d say we’re getting a very good return on his positioning, especially considering how he dovetails with Lacazette to great effect. But maybe it’s just me…
Crumbs we definitely need a centre back, left back and right winger – hope AFC dip into the January sales to get one or more of these sorted!!! Nice to see the boys win despite some scary moments!!
We have a proper right winger, he just happens to be playing (and tearing it up) in Germany right now.
I think the 343 today worked a charm. Really. Got us on the front foot. Showed how much we need better service to Auba though, i.e. needed Monreal with Iwobi and a top-class forward on the right. Who that might be I don’t know. Could Rambo not have come on earlier for Mikhi? To be more specific Iwobi was decent, but Kola needed to be better; Bellerin played pretty well I think, not a brilliant game but very solid. I just saw Mikhi not really there. Xhaka didn’t make big mistakes and held the ball well for us. Overall sloppy… Read more »
Interesting back 3 experiment again. In part thanks to return of Cback asset Sokratis (and potentially Koscielny) BUT also I feel maybe in view of certain forthcoming matches. It certainly (at this point) did not make us anymore water tight defensively. That’s not even to blame Mustafi at end of game (which some will try) bc we could not hold the ball for some inexplicable reason last 5 minutes and play to the corner or pass to oblivion. Certainly had the German not put in the tackle, and with the number of Cherries in the box plus the man on… Read more »
Auba isn’t really expected to play like Giroud did? That seems to be what you expect of him, based on this post, even though that’s clearly not why he’s in the team…
And still a game of two halves for us as evident.
Iwobi, quick pass to Kolasinac, Kolasinac to …..Boooom! Arsenal scores!!!. Twice!