AFC Bournemouth vs Arsenal: 3 tactical observations | Premier League 2018-19

#2 Arsenal's ball winning ability was evident

Torreira nicks the ball off a Bournemouth player

Arsenal look more dangerous when they win the ball back, especially in the opposition half. Unai Emery's philosophy of pressing the opponent very high up the pitch seems to be getting great results.

In the first half, Lucas Torreira nearly scored his first Arsenal goal when he won the ball in a similar position (as he has always done this season), and powered a rasping shot which hit the frame of the goal. Mkhitaryan also did the same in the second half, but scuffed his shot wide.

Arsenal's quality and accuracy of passing in-between the lines around the opposition area will no doubt create goal-scoring opportunities, and with the clinical strikers Arsenal possess, you get the feeling that the team will score goals aplenty.

Manchester City is a team that does this to great effect, and The Gunners can definitely improve this tactical aspect of their game.

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#3 Arsenal may have to improve their defensive solidity by playing a 3-4-3 formation

Ozil's absence provided the room for Emery to field three centre backs

Unai Emery has admitted that the game at Bournemouth was one Mesut Ozil was not suited for, due to its physical demands.

As quoted on Goal.com, when asked about his absence, Emery said:

"We thought about how we can be better in the match today, with a very demanding match physically with their intensity against us and we decided.

"But every player is important. Also today we tried with three centre-backs. It’s another opportunity to improve and find our best performance.

Ozil's absence provided the room for Emery to field three centre backs, and that helped the team to be a bit more solid defensively, and control the game more, which is what Emery wants his team to do.