Arsenal hold on to narrow win over Bournemouth

Andrew McAlister 5 years ago 4.5k |

Reading time: minutes

Emery's Arsenal continue unbeaten streak. AFP

Arsenal came away from Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium with the three points after a hard-fought encounter. An own goal from Jefferson Lerma handed the visitors the lead, before Joshua King equalised for the 'Cherries' on the stroke of half-time. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finished from close range to clinch the win for Unai Emery's side.

Bournemouth had started the season as one of the Premier League's surprise packages, finding themselves sixth in the table ahead of the latest international break. Arsenal, on the other hand, were unbeaten in their last ten in the league, though the way they had lined up without key men Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil dispelled some confidence with 'Gunners' supporters.

The game got off to a pulsating start. David Brooks had the ball in the back of the net just eight minutes in only to look up and see the linesman with his flag raised for offside, before Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira struck the post for Arsenal with an effort from 20 yards out.

Both goalkeepers were rarely tested in the opening stages, with Xhaka's blast over the crossbar 23 minutes in summing up said poor finishing, though Fraser did manage to draw a strong save out of Bernd Leno with a curling free-kick.

Then, minutes later, Arsenal took the lead in rather fortunate fashion, as Colombian international Jefferson Lerma converted past his own keeper. Sead Kolasinac took the ball wide for Arsenal on the left before sending a low cross into the middle only for one of Eddie Howe's men to meet instead. Sliding to the ground, Lerma was unfortunate as he caught the ball ever-so sweetly on the volley and converted past Begovic from 15 yards, before the Bosnian had chance to react.

Emery's side saw several chances to increase their advantage only for Begovic to deny Iwobi, and Mkhitaryan to volley high and wide from the edge of the area.

The 'Cherries' searched for an equaliser and were soon rewarded, right on the stroke of half-time. Wilson drove forward before playing in Brooks through the middle, and the former Sheffield United midfielder in turn found Joshua King, returning to the side on the back of an injury, on the left-side of the area. The Norwegian international finished exquisitely, directing the ball with his left boot into the top left corner of Bernd Leno's goal.

From the beginning of the second-half, Arsenal had a possessional hold on the game. Bournemouth struggled to venture forward as often, and the visitors eventually capitalised on their domination to regain the lead. Nigerian international Alex Iwobi played in Kolasinac down the left flank, who squared for Aubameyang to do what he does best. The Gabonese forward struck home from close-range in what was a typically-Arsenal goal.

The 'Cherries' did try to respond, though struggled to test Bernd Leno in the Arsenal goal. Fraser tried his luck with the outside of his right boot only to find the grateful hands of the German, before substitute Junior Stanislas miss-hit an effort from the six-yard box which trickled towards the goalkeeper.

Jefferson Lerma was unfortunate once again as he saw an effort from 25 yards rebound off the far post before referee Craig Pawson blew the final whistle, signalling a great victory for Arsenal.

Bournemouth will look to rebuild ahead of next weekend, while Arsenal's attention turns back to the Europa League on Thursday night.