Morning all.

Another game, another three goals and another clean sheet. A clean sheet which earned David Raya the golden glove award. Great for him personally but for the team too because the award should really go to the entire defensive unit which in Arsenal’s case, has involved every player at some stage. We aren’t a defence defends kind of team because we defend from the front. Every player defends and every player attacks – we are one big unit which today is the best in attack as far as goals scored goes and best in defence as far goals conceded goes.

If I have a gripe about yesterday’s performance it’s that we didn’t batter Bournemouth because with better finishing, we would have. So much so, Mikel Arteta would have been able to have made five changes at half-time had he wanted to.

Pundits, especially those who really don’t want us to succeed, will say that Kai Havertz dangled his leg in order to win the penalty, well let them. David Coote made his decision and VAR stood by that decision. Name me a player who doesn’t dangle his leg when going round the keeper? What mattered most was Bukayo Saka added to his goal tally by coolly slotting home the spot kick. That’s 20 for him in all competitions this season, the most from an Arsenal player since the days of Aubameyang. Leandro Trossard isn’t far behind him either.

We had to wait until 70 minutes had passed before any nerves could settle a bit. Declan Rice teed up Leandro Trossard and our Belgian did the rest. A clinical finish. Lastly, Declan Rice made it 3-0 with a super strike wide right of the penalty area and from a tight angle.

Following the win, Mikel Arteta said:

With what is at stake and the stage of the season we are in, to perform the way we have done today, especially in the first half, I thought it was one of the best that we played all season. It was really positive, a lot of energy, players making decisions to impact the game and make things happen – I loved it. We were very unlucky not to score four or five, and then when you don’t do that, you have to navigate for certain difficult moments, and we did.

Obviously we have to be more ruthless in front of goal, with a lot of chances and situations we generated. The scoreline should have been very, very different. Sometimes when you don’t finish the game, it can get a bit different and the momentum of the game can shift, and you have to be prepared for that and I think the team did really well to handle it. I think the moment is driven by energy, enthusiasm and finding joy in this journey, and being in the title race at this stage of the season. We have to continue to do the same.

I wouldn’t say 3-0 was flattering but at times, certainly in the second half, Bournemouth had their moments. At 2-0, they hit the bar before having a goal ruled out for a shove on Raya in the buildup. Again, VAR supported David Coote’s on-field decision, much to the dismay of Andoni Iraola. The best goal of the game didn’t count as Gabriel was adjudged to be offside. Great strike off his shin. Lol

I thought we were brilliant in the first half but as said, we didn’t make the most of many chances we created. Credit to Bournemouth too for putting their bodies on the line. Their keeper played really well too in the first half but, I’ve no idea how Christie got away with what he did. The challenge on Bukayo Saka could easily have been a red card but he didn’t even get booked. Numerous fouls from him followed yet it wasn’t until his fifth or sixth that he actually received a booking.

“We have to continue to do the same” said Mikel Arteta and he’s right, of course he is and I’m sure he’s not simply referring to our final two fixtures. Regardless of what happens between now and when the final whistle blows against Everton, we’re now a team to be reckoned with and with the right additions this summer, we’re only going to get better. Most of our players are yet to hit their peak which is staggering considering how good they already are and we know that any players who join the club now, aren’t going to ‘just because they’re for sale”. Arsenal don’t operate like that anymore. They identify who they want and go all out to get them. It might be that you or I think “why” when a player comes through the Arsenal doors but as Kai Havertz has proved, sometimes we just need to be a little patient.

Next up it’s a trip to Old Trafford.

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

 

 

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