Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth: 5 Talking Points | Premier League 2019/20
After a draw against Manchester United in their previous fixture, Arsenal were looking to set things right for their fans at home to Bournemouth. Unai Emery’s men knew coming into this game that they could move up into third place with a win. As for Eddie Howe’s men, they looked to continue their solid start to the season, coming into the game only one point behind the Gunners.
Arsenal opened proceedings in the 8th minute as David Luiz scored his first goal for the club as he headed home a Nicolas Pepe corner. The scoreline would stay the same until the 90th minute in a match void of quality from both sides. Neither side seemed to take the game by the scruff of the neck, only mustering up four shots on target between them.
Here are five talking points from Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
#5 A tale of two halves for Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has taken the Cherries from League Two to the verge of playing in Europe. The young English manager has done a wondrous job down by the coast, so much so that he can leave the Emirates frustrated not to have picked up any points. Bournemouth looked a shadow of their former selves in the first half, they were lacklustre in their press and toothless in attack. This allowed the Gunners to have a comfortable half, in which they eased to a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, the Cherries completely flipped the switch. They dominated the Gunners throughout the half, leaving them to resort to only counter attacks. As a team, Eddie Howe’s men pressed cohesively, forcing Arsenal to play the ball out long.
Bournemouth would have certainly taken at least a point from this match if Calum Wilson had scored in front of an open goal. Regardless, Bournemouth can leave with their heads held high as they attempted 10 shots, completed 312 passes and shared 47.5% of the possession at the Emirates.