Bournemouth 2-1 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

#3 Is 'Alexit' imminent?

Troubling times for Arsenal?

Ironically, one of the biggest talking points from the game isn't a particular player's performance, but rather, one's absence. Alexis Sanchez. Arsenal's wantaway Chilean sensation was dropped for this game amidst intense speculation of an exit ('Alexit' is what they're calling it), in favour of either Manchester club.

In conversation with Sky Sports, Arsene Wenger finally broke his silence on the situation, as he offered tidbits both, before and after the game. Initially, the Frenchman said that Sanchez was dropped because he was "vague" about his future. However, after the game, Wenger went on to confirm that Sanchez is, indeed, on transfer standby.

The Arsenal manager said:

"It could happen today or tomorrow or not at all," Wenger said, when asked about Sanchez leaving. "That's why I didn't want to travel with him today for him to go somewhere else."

"He could have moved today or yesterday or not, but it will be decided in the next 48 hours. He is on standby so I decided not to bring him today. It wasn't that he didn't want to play."

While it looks more a question of when than if, Arsenal's biggest issue at the moment might not be Alexis Sanchez and his departure. Today's performance, if nothing else, highlighted the underlying question: "How are Arsenal without Alexis Sanchez?"

The answer, was there for the world to see. Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi were entrusted with the responsibility of accompanying Alexandre Lacazette up front, who himself managed to take no shot.

Astonishingly, neither Welbeck nor Iwobi registered a single successful dribble, thereby indicating the lack of creativity in the side. Further, the pair managed only 3 shots between them - making it 3 from Arsenal's front 3 - which simply does not augur well for a side that intends to compete in Europe next season.