Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth: 3 Reasons why the Gunners won

#2 Bournemouth fail to make the most of their second-half dominance

Bournemouth failed to make the most of their dominance

The Cherries started the encounter extremely listlessly and consequently, found themselves a goal down in the opening 10 minutes. However, the visitors turned the screw methodically in the second half and put the Gunners under the cosh.

Their approach play looked a lot swifter while there was a lot more movement in the final third. In the process, they got down the sides of Arsenal’s defence at times.

Moreover, they were willing to launch the ball forward a lot quicker, a tactic that helped the Cherries bypass the hosts’ midfield while also using their striker’s attributes.

However, despite their encouraging build-up play, they never really threatened Arsenal, apart from a couple of occasions.

Early in the second half, Callum Wilson broke through the defensive lines and went eyeball to eyeball with Bernd Leno. The Englishman got the better of the German but his cut-back across goal was cleared by Calum Chambers.

Another hopeful cross then eluded Wilson’s head when he managed to create space for himself beyond Sead Kolasinac. Jack Stacey also came close late in the game when he stung the palms of Leno.

Yet, clear-cut opportunities were hard to come by for Bournemouth, despite their extended spells of possession. The Cherries ended the game with 47% possession and 405 passes. Unfortunately, though, that wasn’t enough to make the net ripple as they piled further woe on themselves on a disappointing afternoon in North London.