Arsenal eased to a 4-0 victory in the sun away at Bournemouth as Mikel Arteta’s side remain unbeaten and oozed class throughout.
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Bukayo Saka headed home and Martin Odegaard made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the first half, then Kai Havertz also converted a spot kick and Ben White scored late on as the Gunners won at a canter and it could have been seven or eight in their favor.
Arteta’s Arsenal have now picked up 17 points from a possible 21 to start the season as they’ve won five of their seven games.
Bournemouth haven’t won any of their opening seven games under Adoni Iraola as his former youth team teammate Arteta got the better of him.
Team spirit strong as Gunners warm up for City showdown with stroll in the sun
The way Saka and Odegaard decided to give the ball to Kai Havertz for Arsenal’s second penalty kick of the game said it all. Not only did they know the game was done and dusted because they were on another level to the Cherries, they also thought about the bigger picture. Providing more confidence for their teammate, who has had a slow start to life at Arsenal, would benefit the team in the long run and Arsenal’s young side, epitomized by the excellent Odegaard and Saka, are an extremely unselfish bunch. That team-first attitude is the only way they’re going to get past Manchester City this season. It was a small, classy act to get Havertz to take the penalty kick but sometimes in a title race which is expected to be even tighter this season than last season, it is the small margins which can make the difference. The way this Arsenal side continues to grow up on and off the pitch makes you believe they’re going to get even closer to City this season. If not overtake them. Things are set up perfectly for the mammoth Arsenal vs Manchester City clash next weekend as we will get to see just how much this Gunners side have improved over the summer.
What’s next?
Arsenal head to Lens for the second game of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign on Tuesday, with the Gunners then hosting Manchester City on Sunday, Oct. 8 in a huge game as they sit just one point behind City in the table. Bournemouth head to Everton on Saturday, Oct. 7 in a massive game at the bottom of the table.
Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz taking the penalty kick
“It will probably change everything, but first of all if he had any question marks about how we feel about him, how much we love him, how much we appreciate everything that he does, I think that’s out. I think in sport, Usain Bolt said it once, I have to train four years to run nine seconds, sometimes you have to do a lot and you don’t see that, but in that moment you see it, I’m sure what he’s been through in the last few weeks, this moment is worth every moment of the other moments.”
Arteta was asked about Saka and Odegaard giving Havertz the ball: “That’s the beauty of it, they take initiative and they take the leadership to make those calls. I haven’t asked them, I imagine Bukayo has to take it so first of all he gives it to Martin and then he gave it to Kai, it doesn’t really matter, the beauty is in the gesture and the fact that the players can make those steps and decisions.”
Bournemouth vs Arsenal player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, check out the ratings as Odegaard ran the show and Arsenal oozed class. Bournemouth just couldn’t get near them as Saka, Nketiah and Jesus dragged the Cherries all over the place.
Ben White scores stoppage time header
Emile Smith Rowe could have grabbed a couple but Ben White does as he heads home. 4-0. Arsenal’s fans are having a lovely old time in the sun.
Kai Havertz makes it 3-0 from the penalty spot
Arsenal win another penalty kick as Odegaard is taken out as he lines up a shot and Saka and Odegaard decide to give the ball to Kai Havertz. He slots home to score his first goal for the club and the Arsenal players push Havertz towards the away fans to celebrate. Lovely moment. Arsenal 3-0 up at Bournemouth.
Martin Odegaard slots home a penalty to make it 2-0
Eddie Nketiah surges into the box and Max Aarons slides in but doesn’t get the ball and takes out Nketiah for a penalty kick. Martin Odegaard steps up and slots home calmly. Dominant first half from Arsenal as they lead 2-0. Can Bournemouth get anything going in the second half?
Bukayo Saka gives Arsenal an early lead
What a lovely team goal from Arsenal a Saka finds Martin Odegaard and his perfect cross to the back post is headed onto the post by Gabriel Jesus but Saka is on hand to nod home the rebound. As they say, it is indeed 1-0 to the Arsenal.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Arsenal live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 10am ET, Saturday (Sept. 30)
TV channel: Peacock
Stream: Watch on Peacock Premium
Bournemouth lineup
Dominic Solanke is fit to start, which is a big boost for Bournemouth. USMNT skipper Tyler Adams made his Bournemouth debut in the League Cup in midweek but isn’t on the bench today.
Our team for #BOUARS 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8Zk0ZH37ea
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) September 30, 2023
Focus on Bournemouth
Iraola has had a tough start in terms of the games he’s been handed and the injuries Bournemouth have suffered early in the season. The Spanish coach is ushering in a new style of play and it will take time but there are signs the high-pressing approach is starting to work. Injury wise, new signings Tyler Adams and Alex Scott continue to work their way towards fitness. Ryan Fredericks and Emiliano Marcondes remain out.
Arsenal lineup
Doubts over Saliba, Rice and Saka are over as the hugely important trio start. Kai Havertz comes into the starting lineup for Fabio Vieira.
🟡 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 30, 2023
👊 Saliba at the back
⚡ Saka on the wing
💪 Rice in midfield
COME ON YOU GUNNERS! pic.twitter.com/50sRUNLdsH
Focus on Arsenal
On paper this seems like a routine win for Arsenal but given some of their injury issues, there is a whiff of an upset in the air. Arsenal were angry with their performance against Tottenham and Arteta is trying to stay calm but he looks frustrated and so do his players. Arsenal have yet to hit top gear this season and they are only dominating for stages in games rather than for the usual 70-80 minutes that we saw for most of last season. Injury wise, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli all remain out.