Arsenal 3 Bournemouth 0
The Gunners had the pleasure of the early kick-off this weekend, meaning that they could open up a four point gap at the top of the table with a win over Bournemouth. For Mikel Arteta’s side, nothing but a win would do, as they looked to pile the pressure on Man City in second place.
Bournemouth were muscled off the ball in the hosts’ half and Rice burst forward with the ball. With the visitors backing off him, he strode into the box before feeding a pass to Saka. The winger twisted and turned towards the byline before looking to cross but it was blocked for a corner.
As the visitors managed to half-clear the resulting corner, try as they might, Arsenal just kept coming forward. Trossard looked to get a shot away but it was blocked, as it dropped to Odegaard, he checked onto his right foot but his effort was deflected over the crossbar.
The last time North London witnessed such an onslaught, there were German bombers as far as the eye could see. Havertz was the next player to get a brief sight of goal but Travers did well to make a reaction save. At this stage, you felt it was just a matter of time before The Gunners scored.
Credit: @Arsenal
Saliba had the chance to test The Cherries’ keeper but once again Travers saved. Partey then tried to side-foot one into the bottom corner but once again the keeper was equal to it. As a half-cleared cross dropped to Rice, his half volley narrowly went the wrong side of the post.
Havertz took the ball around Travers, with the ball heading harmlessly towards the byline, before going to ground. The referee immediately pointed to the spot but as the replay showed, the German had initiated the contact purely for the purpose of going down.
VAR reviewed the decision and ridiculously decided to back the official’s decision. This is why so many fans and pundits want to see the technology scrapped. If it is not adding any value to the game, its use seems pointless. The lunatics are running the asylum when it comes to the technology.
Saka stepped up and slotted the ball past Travers to give Arsenal the lead. While you could not deny that Arteta’s side had done enough to warrant going ahead, the manner in which it was earned will leave a sour taste in the mouth of Andoni Iraola.
Into the second half, Havertz did well to lay it on a plate for Saka. His finish was that poor you would expect to see it on an episode of ‘Cowboy Footballers’, should such a show exist. The Cherries went straight down the other end and Solanke had an effort saved by Raya to bail out the young winger.
As The Gunners came forward once again, Rice did well to play the ball into the path of Trossard. He hit his shot first time into the far corner with Travers beaten at full-stretch. The Emirates erupted as fans dreamt of a long-awaited Premier League title.
Credit: @Arsenal
Bournemouth pulled a goal back when a half-hearted punch from Raya went straight to the visitors who put the ball in the back of the net. It was then disallowed for a foul on the keeper, much to the delight of the home faithful.
Looking at the replay, it was another crazy decision. There was nowhere near any kind of contact that warranted a foul. If anything, it was just David Raya doing his best Frank Spencer impression once again. It is mental to think that this guy has won this season’s ‘golden gloves’ award. Liability.
Gabriel hit an absolute screamer into the top corner with his weaker left foot. Sadly for the defender it was to be ruled out as Havertz was offside in the build-up. While it was the correct decision it was heartbreaking for the Brazilian as he is unlikely to score another goal like that.
Arteta’s side managed to put the game to bed as record signing Declan Rice slotted under Travers from a tight angle. The Gunners took all three points and continued to put the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side. Andoni Iraola is unlikely to have any of these officials on his Christmas card list.
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