Arsenal 3 Bournemouth 1
Arsenal: Sanchez (12', 90'+1), Walcott (53')
Bournemouth: Wilson (23' pen)
Man of the match: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
There are two ways to interpret Arsenal’s record in November.
On one hand, Arsene Wenger’s men were extremely fortunate to avoid defeat in the three encounters they contested before Sunday’s meeting with Bournemouth. They were second best against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain yet still managed to collect draws in both games, while Tottenham Hotspur deserved the point they obtained at the Emirates Stadium at the start of the month.
A kinder reading would focus on the plus points of Arsenal’s three consecutive stalemates and highlight the resilience and character shown on each occasion, despite a trio of undeniably below-par performances.
Either way, it was always going to be essential that they returned to winning ways when Bournemouth travelled to London this weekend.
Two goals from Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott’s header ensured Arsenal did exactly that, moving them to within three points of Premier League leaders Chelsea and bringing their stuttering spell to an end.
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The hosts did not have everything their own way, however. Bournemouth caused their opponents a number of problems throughout a closely-fought affair and on another day could have left the capital with a more tangible prize than the plaudits they received for a positive mindset and progressive style of football.
Arsenal took the initiative in the early stages, the bustling Sanchez making a nuisance of himself up front and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain threatening with a couple of dangerous dribbles down the left.
They were gifted the opener after a costly error from centre-back Steve Cook, whose pass to goalkeeper Adam Federici was intercepted by Sanchez, but a failure to push on from the early breakthrough allowed the visitors back into the game.
A period of pressure culminated in Callum Wilson calmly converting a penalty to get his team back on level terms, with Bournemouth going on to fashion the better opportunities until the closing minutes of the first half.
“We started well, but after they equalised we became nervous,” Wenger said. “That’s when you could see the three draws played on our minds. Bournemouth presented danger because they keep the ball and attack well.”
The second period brought about improvement, as Arsenal settled into their rhythm and forced Bourneouth back into their own half. Their reward came eight minutes after the restart, an unmarked Walcott nodding home at the far post after Nacho Monreal had driven the ball back across goal following fine work from Mesut Ozil.
Bournemouth did not give up hope and continued to move the ball neatly through the pitch, with most of their attacks targeted down the right-hand side. Arsenal ensured they always had enough men back, though, forming a solid defensive shape out of possession and then creating a number of chances on the counter-attack.
The third goal, scored by Sanchez in injury time, probably flattered the hosts, but by the final whistle it was difficult to argue that a home win was not a fair outcome.
Once again, Arsenal were not as free-flowing as they can be, while there was a period in the first half when they found themselves on the back foot against a side currently in the bottom half of the table.
But Arsenal refused to succumb to the pressure and went on to secure a positive result.
It is now 19 matches without defeat in all competitions. Whichever way you view Arsenal’s recent displays, that is undoubtedly an impressive record.
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