The Arsenal are away from home, at the Vitality Stadium… Home of The Cherries.
We were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth last season, so I of course want us to serve up that famous dish, that’s best served cold.
Mikel Arteta is a good friend of Cherries’ manager, Andoni Iraola… but may they be the best of frenemies, when the match kicks off. Sentiment must go on the back burner, as The Arsenal… cook.
The Cherries not only beat us at the Vitality Stadium last season, but they had the audacity to beat us at the Emirates too!! They’re a good team… YES.. but when life hands you cherries, you make Cherryade.
Bournemouth are on the back of a good 2-2 draw, away at Chelsea… and The Arsenal are on the back of beating Aston Villa within an inch of their lives, after their 4-1 demolition.
Mikel Arteta made some changes to the previous starting lineup.
David Raya continued in goal, Timber at right-back, Saliba & Gabriel, in the centre of defence, and Hincapie, at left-back.
In midfield, it was Odegaard, Zubimendi, and Rice.
Declan Rice shook off his previous knee injury, and made himself available for selection.
The front three was Madueke on the right, Gyokeres through the middle, and Martinelli on the left.
Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard, were given some much needed rest.
The match started frenetically, and we struggled to cope with how quickly Bournemouth were closing down the space. They pressed us high up the pitch, and forced us into uncharacteristic errors.
A most egregious error, was caused by Gabriel Magalhaes, whose been colossal for us this season.
In the 10th minute, Gabriel decided to pass the ball to a player, that only HE could see… and The Cherries’ striker Evanilson, shouted “I AIN’T ‘FRAID OF NO GHOST!”… and easily intercepted, and then calmly slotted the ball past David Raya.
1-0 to Bournemouth. (Unfortunately)
The Gunners had to shake off the disappointment, of the self-inflicted bullet wound to the foot, and try to get a foothold in the game.
In the 16th minute, Noni Madueke decimated Semenyo, on the right hand side, with some wonderful skill. He then twinkle-toed his way to the byline, squared the ball… and after a couple of shots were blocked… first, from Hincapie, and then from Martinelli… the ball broke to Big Gabby!! Gabriel Magalhaes smashed the ball home, with the sort of power, and technique, that a striker would’ve been proud of.
A superb goal, and great mentality shown by Big Gabby, to not let his earlier mistake affect him. The scoreline now 1-1, and the Arsenal faithful were hoping that the equaliser, would spark us into life… as we hadn’t played well in the first half, and The Cherries were probably the better team.
The first half finished 1-1, and I was hoping that Mikel Arteta would give the players the EXACT same team talk he gave them, at half-time against Aston Villa.
The curtain raised on the second half, and we were a different team. A team absent stage fright, a team that remembered their lines… and most importantly… a team, ready to perform.
We were more competitive, in every department… and in the 54th minute, we got our just rewards.
Martinelli won a flick-on in midfield, and Gyokeres bombarded his way through the Bournemouth defence, while taking at least three defenders with him. The loose ball broke to Odegaard, who spotted Declan Rice making a late run into the box. Rice struck the ball beautifully, first time… and the ball flew past their keeper, Petrovic.
It was a cultured finish from Declan Rice!! 2-1 to The Arsenal!!
We were controlling the game now, passing the ball well, and The Cherries were unable to continue their high pressing, from the first half.
In the 67th minute, Arteta rang the changes.
Gabriel Jesus replaced Gyokeres, Trossard came on for Martinelli, and Saka was introduced, for Madueke.
We were once again, flexing the squad depth muscle, of our bench.
The clock displayed the 71st minute… and Odegaard played the ball through to Saka, in Bournemouth’s box. Saka looked up, and cut the ball back to Rice, who calmly side-footed the ball home.
It was good vision from Saka, and another well timed run from Rice. 3-1 to The Arsenal!!
Just as I prepared myself for us to cruise, for the remainder of the game… the unthinkable happened.
Lewis Cook passed the ball to Eli Junior Kroupi, near the edge of the D… and Kroupi hit a thunderous strike, that gave David Raya no chance!! Sometimes you have to just hold your hands up, and say… It was a magnificent goal, it couldn’t be helped… let’s move on. The scoreline now, 3-2.
Arteta responded, and brought on Merino, for Odegaard. A wise decision, as Merino is more defensive, and we ABSOLUTELY had to exercise caution, for the remainder of the match.
The PTSD of the late goals conceded away to Sunderland, and away to Aston Villa, bullied their way to the forefront of my mind.
The Arsenal though, shockingly took my heart-rate into consideration… and saw the game out, professionally. We won 3-2… collected all three points, and ticked ANOTHER team off our “Revenge List”.
Admittedly, it wasn’t a vintage Arsenal performance, but we won. Nothing else matters!!
Focus on the positives, my Arsenal family… Declan Rice is fit again, and put in an incredible performance, we’ve extended our lead at the top of the league, it’s our fifth Premier League win in-a-row, and we DIDN’T pick up any new injuries. Let’s enjoy this!!
Also, my Arsenal brethren… please ignore the jibber-jabber about Ethan Nwaneri not playing… he’s 18 years old, and is ahead of schedule in terms of his development. He WILL get playing time, as there’s A LOT of games to play in a season, ESPECIALLY when you’re involved in all competitions.
Eberechi Eze WILL get games too. He hasn’t been “Frozen out” AT ALL, Arteta knows that there’s certain players needed, for particular teams… and that’s the beauty of having a big squad, with quality in every position.
Mute the outside voices, AND… the negative voices coming from the inside too! The bottom line is, we were thirsty, and were handed cherries, and we made Cherryade… and quenched our thirst.
We now look forward to the Liverpool game, at the Emirates… and we need to make The Reds, see red, as they taste defeat.
Do you agree with my analysis of the game?
Is the discourse about certain players, NOT playing… a bit silly?
WHYYYYY ON EARTH, are there STILL some so called Arsenal fans, saying “Arteta out” ???
As usual, let me know in the comments. COYG!!!
gunnersayit.com 
Leave a comment