AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Arsenal - 5 Talking Points

Arsenal returns to its winning ways with a gritty 2-0 win over an in-form Bournemouth side at the Vitality stadium. Goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain inside the span of 5 minutes ensure that Gunners return to North London with all 3 points.The win lets Arsenal leapfrog Manchester City in the league table who are fresh from an excruciating defeat at the hands of leaders Leicester City. The win for Arsenal nicely sets them up for their battle against the high-flying Leicester City.

#1 Arsenal return back to winning (scoring) ways.

Mesut Ozil scored Arsenal’s opener

Arsenal after enduring a dismal run of four games restore the status quo by edging a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium. A quick-fire brace from the Double O’s reignited Arsenal’s slack start to 2016.

In a keenly fought game, the vistors showed their character by grinding out a hard-fought win against an in-form side in their own backyard. The win was primarily driven by a stable defence which was sandwiched between a tenacious midfield and a calm goalkeeper. The gamble to start Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of Walcott and the newly preferred Joel Campbell instantly paid off as the Ox ran ragged for major part of the first half. More than his attacking contribution, it was his defensive duties which made him the key cog in this Arsenal’s win.

Wenger surely didn’t have smooth sailing down south but it was mission accomplished for him by pocketing all 3 points. Business as usual!

#2 Cherries lack the cutting edge in the final third

Matt Ritchie (R) was disappointing on the wings for Bournemouth

Bournemouth came into this game on the back of a strong run of form stretching back to late December. Eddie Howe’s team is known for its swashbuckling and clinical attacking style of play. The team looked even more threatening with the arrival of Benik Afobe who looked like the spearhead The Cherries attack in absence of injured Wilson.

But tonight, Bournemouth looked devoid of any inspiration in the final third. They lacked their usual zip and drive from the wings. Along with this, the inability of midfield runners to make inroads into the Arsenal’s penalty box cost them dear. The failure of the wide-men also rendered the lethal Afobe impotent for majority of the game. Afobe dropped in deep to establish a connection with fellow attackers. If all this wasn’t enough, the search for the spectacular from all the players led to wastage of quite a few chances.

And whatever chances they managed to create wewre instantaneously sniffed out by Arsenal defence led by the ever reliable Petr Cech.

#3 Arsenal\'s spine shines in the South coast

Petr Cech made a couple of vital saves for the Gunners

It is no secret that all the title winning sides had a strong spine which had led them to the glory, a strong core of players of beginning right from the goalkeeper and leading up to the forwards.

Arsenal after almost a decade has given everyone a glimpse of a strong core of players which can propel them to the ultimate glory of English football. The arrival of Petr Cech has transformed the dynamic of this Arsenal side which was infamous for being chokers and too ‘cute’ to win ugly as and when required. His winning mentality has rubbed on to his peers which is evident on the pitch as well.

The same can be said for Arsenal’s midfield which has some tenacity to grind out the game if need be. Along with the midfield, the creative cavalry has kept up it’s good work to support the new found solidity at the rear end of the pitch.

It is this solidity which may well end the drought of league title at the red half of North London.

#4 Has the Afobe bubble burst?

Benik Afobe was dire up front for the Cherries

After injuries to their two first choiuce centre-forwards, Bournemouth splashed the cash in January window by signing Wolves’ prolific centre forward Benik Afobe. He made an impressive debut for the south-coasters by scoring in his first three games.

Today was his litmus test against his former club who were struggling for goals and also for results. Alas! It wasn’t a fairy tale ending for the 22 year old as he failed to inspire an insipid Bournemouth attack. His failure to wriggle out from the clutches of Gabriel and Koscielny highlighted his one-dimensional game. Afobe was also guilt of anonymity for major parts of the game which was primarily due to the lack of service being provided to him but also due to his inability to conjure up something out of nothing which has been hallmark of all great centre-forwards.

It’d be too soon to write him off but it seems that the bubble of Afobe has finally gone bust.

#5 The Gunners are back in the hunt.

Arsene Wenger was satisfied with the win

After a troubled 2016 for Arsene Wenger and his boys, the win at the Vitality stadium couldn’t have came at a more opportune time than this. A defeat for Manchester City against Leicester in the top of the table clash on Saturday made things all the more interesting for both the North London clubs.

Things at the top have been spiced up especially after Leicester’s mauling of City and their impending arrival to Emirates next week. Today’s win against Bournemouth not only improves their standing in the league table but also boosts their morale ahead of the key encounter against Leicester.

The return of key players like Francois Coquelin and Per Mertesacker will only boost their chanes in a bid to steal the thunder from their rivals come the busy period of February and March.