Arsenal overcame Bournemouth courtesy of a brace from Danny Welbeck and an outside of the box screamer from summer signing, Lacazette. This loss piles further pressure on Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe as his side succumbed to a 4th successive defeat.
It was a victory that was much needed for the Gunners, as two back to back defeats had left them reeling in the bottom half of the table.
Let’s look at 5 talking points from the encounter at the Emirates.
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The Cherries fail to provide the service to Jermain Defoe
The Cherries’ summer signing Jermaine Defoe has had a torrid start to his Bournemouth career. His attributes all point towards a proper goal poacher, the one who can pounce on a half chance and convert it to a goal. However, he was forced to drop deep and play the ball around, which is not his style of play. The fact that Bournemouth’s first shot of the game came in the 48th minute speaks volumes about how forlorn a figure Jermain cuts up top!
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Danny Welbeck, the man in form
After Alexis Sanchez’s summer saga, the onus was on Danny Welbeck to capitalize on his chance of playing in the starting XI and that move is beginning to reap rewards. His two goals on the night were well taken. The first, though it looped into goal via his shoulder, it was still an instinctive attempt to head the ball. The second goal was a combination of a good first touch to set up the shot, and a calm side-footed finish to the far corner from a tight angle.
Integrating Alexis into the team might not take much time, but it seems that the Chilean is a long way from making a start after his transfer debacle, till then, Welbeck could be the go-to man for Arsenal.
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Kolasinac finally plays at LWB
The sale of Oxlade Chamberlain to Liverpool freed up a spot at LWB, which meant Kolasinac would finally get to play in his preferred position. Kolasinac has played at LCB for his previous two appearances and clearly showed how much more he can offer when played in a more advanced position. His combination of strength and agility was too much to handle down the Bournemouth right, as he tormented them all afternoon with his runs.
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Lacazette deserves to start every game
Lacazette’s omission from Arsenal’s game against Liverpool was baffling, to say the least. A game of such magnitude demanded the participation of Arsenal’s club record signing, but it wasn’t to be. Lacazette was brought back into the squad for this fixture, and he began right from where he left off. He is an ‘Ian Wright’ type player. A diminutive forward who can dribble and has a cracker of a right foot. Wenger says Lacazette still needs to settle to the Premier League; but with strikes like those, it’s hard to agree with Arsene on that one.
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Alexis Sanchez’s reception speaks a thousand words
The game clock struck 75’ and the mood around the Emirates had shifted. Prior to that, there were Arsenal chants and fans in a joyous mood. One look to the sidelines, and there was Sanchez, waiting to come on. There were audible boos that accompanied the applause, which many felt was directed to Welbeck as he was being substituted. The fans are unforgiving, and it will take time for Alexis to endear himself to the Arsenal faithful once again.
