After our European heroics, we’re back to Premier League business, and we’re back at the Emirates. It feels like it’s been a while… and we face a difficult game against Bournemouth.
Our games against The Cherries, are very seldom straight forward, and I’m expecting this game to be more of the same.
We have a chance to go 12 points clear at the top of the league, with a win… and this would put immense pressure on Mancheatster City, who play a day after us… and face Chelsea away.
I’m expecting no favours from Chelsea though, so we have to ensure that we do OUR job, and collect all 3 points.
The starting lineup was Raya in goal, Lewis-Skelly at left-back, Gabriel and Saliba central, and Ben White continued at right-back.
In midfield it was Rice, Zubimendi, and Havertz… and the front 3 was Martinelli on the left, Gyokeres through the middle, and Madueke on the right.
I was hoping we’d see Havertz, and Gyokeres linking up to devastating effect in this game… as we’ve seen glimpses of an attacking understanding between them, but due to injuries, or Arteta’s team selection… we haven’t seen it enough.
Mikel Arteta called on the fans to create a great atmosphere for the players, which they tried to do… but nervousness, and tension, were also seated amongst the Arsenal faithful.
We started the match well enough, but I noticed early on that there was a lack of urgency to get the ball forward, but more focus on keeping the ball… and just passing side-to-side, which is an unwanted, familiar pattern of play, that hasn’t served us well of late.
Concern sat down next to me, and we watched the proceedings unfold, together.
Bournemouth were encouraged by our tentative approach, and they started playing some good football, and were committing players forward… and in the 17th minute, they got their just rewards.
We failed to deal with their deflected cross, and Kroupi finished from close range. 1-0 to The Cherries, and we were well, and truly… popped.
The response I wanted to see wasn’t forthcoming, and concern was now sipping my drink, while despair made itself a sandwich.
Bournemouth now looked in control of the game, and I was cherry upset, to say the least.
In the 35th minute, The Arsenal were given a lifeline… when the referee awarded a penalty, after the ball struck a wayward, Bournemouth hand. Thank you cherry much!!
Gyokeres stepped up, and confidently despatched the penalty. 1-1 now the scoreline, we were back in it!
Hope smiled at me nervously, but the type of football we were playing… kept confidence outside, and reluctantly peering in through the rose-tinted window.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t build any momentum after our equaliser, and apart from Declan Rice, and Lewis-Skelly, too many players simply weren’t good enough! 1-1 the first half finished, and the scoreline flattered us… THAT’S how bad we were.
Like a tailor, Mikel Arteta had his work cut out for him… and his half-time team talk needed to be a dapper 3-piece suit, made of belief, desire, and attacking potency.
The second half started, and just like when you pay the exact amount tendered… there was no change.
Nearly moments, and half chances, began to offend… rather than generate optimism. I couldn’t believe what I was watching. We were wasteful, we were losing duels all over the pitch, we couldn’t play simple passes, and for the first time this season… it looked like the pressure got to us. The same players who got us to this great position in the season, were unrecognisable.
In the 54th minute, Arteta made a triple substitution.
Trossard came on for Martinelli, Max Dowman replaced Madueke, and Eberrechi Eze, came on for Havertz.
The Cherries were the better team before the substitutions, and they were still the better team, after the substitutions… and credit to them, because they didn’t just park the bus, they played really good football, and we had no answers to their footballing questions.
We were put out of our misery in the 74th minute, when Alex Scott made it 2-1 to Bournemouth, after an Evanilson pass found him… and though there was ample time on the clock, I saw no signs of even salvaging a draw, let alone winning the game.
Mosquera replaced White, and Jesus came on for Zubimendi, in the 76th minute. The latter substitution was apt, because we needed a miracle.
The miracle didn’t happen, and the match finished 2-1 to The Cherries.
Defeats can happen, home, or away… but when the manner of the defeat is like THIS, it’s a lot harder to take.
It was terrible team performance collectively, and Gyokeres working hard, and Declan Rice having a good game, couldn’t save us.
Eze tried to make things happen when he was introduced, but the fact of the matter is… too many players just didn’t perform. Now this could be fatigue, as well as the pressure getting to them, and that’s fine… they’re human beings… but what’s NOT fine, is our inability to find solutions.
For example, it’s clear to everyone that Zubimendi is exhausted, and he’s playing like it too. He needs to be taken out of the team, and Arteta needs to try another midfield combination.
We have yet another crucial week of football coming up, with the second leg against Sporting in the Champions, followed the Premier League away fixture, against Manchester City.
The game against City is a potential title decider, so it’s imperative that Arteta uses the squad wisely, and I’m sure he will.
I’ll end on a positive note…
We’re on the verge of reaching the Champions League semi-final, and we’re still 6 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Gyokeres scored AGAIN, Eze looked sharp, Max Dowman is STILL a ‘Wonder-Kid’… and we should have Saka, Timber, Calafiori, and Odegaard, all returning from injury.
Also… WE’RE THE ARSENAL!! There, positive.
Who would be your midfield trio, if Zubimendi is taken out of the team?
Should Max Dowman be starting games?
If you could choose, which trophy would you prefer to win… the Premier League, or the Champions League?
Let me know in the comments as usual. COYG!!
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