Arsenal suffered their first lack of the season on Saturday as they fell 2-0 to Bournemouth on the Vitality Stadium.
The Gunners had management of the sport till the thirtieth minute, when Leandro Trossard‘s careless cross left William Saliba in hassle earlier than incomes purple for a foul that VAR deemed to have denied Evanilson a transparent goal-scoring alternative. Some optimistic moments of goalkeeping by David Raya ensured Arsenal held Bournemouth scoreless by the break.
Antoine Semenyo was considered one of Bournemouth’s brightest because the Cherries started to create probabilities, although he ought to have accomplished higher moments after the restart with an effort on the backpost that was struck off track.
Arsenal might have taken the lead with their finest likelihood of the match when Mikel Merino intercepted Kepa Arrizabalaga‘s cross earlier than selecting out substitute Gabriel Martinelli, just for him to strike the ball straight on the goalkeeper. That miss proved to be expensive as they went behind two minutes later, with Ryan Christie ending off a well-taken Bournemouth nook.
An under-hit cross by Jakub Kiwior led to Raya freely giving a penalty for the house aspect to double the lead by Justin Kluivert, and the Gunners regarded resigned to defeat with Mikel Merino being withdrawn.
Positives
Merino loved a shiny efficiency regardless of the consequence, and he seems to be a powerful match for Arsenal’s system. Declan Rice was additionally a standout in midfield together with his defensive work.
Negatives
The absences of Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka had been noticeable in an Arsenal assault that did not create many moments of promise. An upcoming suspension for William Saliba means he misses the subsequent Premier League match towards Liverpool.
Supervisor ranking (1-10; 10 = finest)
Mikel Arteta, 6 — There was little Arteta might do after particular person errors had been punished, however he might have seen his aspect go 1-0 up on one other day if substitute Gabriel Martinelli transformed his likelihood.
Participant scores
GK David Raya, 5 — Raya regarded unsure when claiming crosses and he additionally performed a misplaced ball straight to Alex Scott within the first half. Whereas he made some saves to maintain the sport at 0-0, an general inconsistent night was compounded when he gave away a penalty.
DF Gabriel Magalhães, 6 — Gabriel cleared the hazard on numerous events and registered a few blocks. Not as efficient as regular from attacking set-pieces.
DF William Saliba, 4 — Saliba regarded in management earlier than he was despatched off following a VAR assessment after he pulled down Evanilson to disclaim a goal-scoring alternative. There was a ways to go, which might see the France worldwide remorse not utilizing his tempo fairly than fouling.
DF Riccardo Calafiori, 6 — Left Antoine Semenyo on the backpost moments into the second half, however was let off by a poor end by the Bournemouth ahead. His efforts helped create some half-chances at occasions when driving with the ball into midfield.
DF Ben White, 5 — Overwhelmed too simply at occasions and picked up a reserving for timewasting with the rating at 0-0.
MF Mikel Merino, 7 — The Spain worldwide was composed in possession, notably in superior areas, and he loved some optimistic link-up play with Raheem Sterling earlier than he was taken off after the purple card. Took up clever positions to chop off passing lanes in the midst of the pitch, and created Arsenal’s finest likelihood when taking part in in Gabriel Martinelli following a well-timed interception on Kepa Arrizabalaga’s cross.
MF Declan Rice, 7 — Rice offered a powerful anchor when Arsenal had been seeking to defend with 10 males, the place he frequently anticipated play to clear the hazard. Labored exhausting to make up for the numbers benefit, and tried to progress the ball into superior areas.
MF Thomas Partey, 6 — Progressed the ball impressively by the traces from defensive midfield, and likewise selected the proper moments to drop into centre-back to create a back-three. Little he might do about both of the targets.
FW Kai Havertz, 6 — Havertz labored exhausting and tried to make issues occur with minimal service, with optimistic runs instantly on the defence that led to some half-chances.
FW Leandro Trossard, 5 — Trossard’s poor cross to Saliba led to the purple card that made the sport far more tough for the Gunners. Ineffective general, and changed by Gabriel Martinelli within the sixty fourth minute.
FW Raheem Sterling, 5 — Stayed huge to stretch the pitch and had one second throughout which he tried to chop inside and beat his marker, however did not have sufficient alternatives to make an impression on the sport. Changed for tactical causes after Saliba’s purple card.
Substitutes (gamers launched after 70 minutes = no ranking)
Jakub Kiwior (Sterling, 37″), 4 — A match to neglect for Kiwior, who struggled early on with the tempo of Semenyo, and after he under-hit his cross to Raya earlier than Bournemouth’s penalty, he was taken again off the pitch by Arteta. He was not the answer Arteta had hoped for.
Gabriel Martinelli (Trossard, 64″), 5 — It did not take lengthy for Martinelli to become involved with Arsenal’s finest likelihood of the sport 5 minutes after coming in, however he ought to have accomplished higher with the end that was straight at Arrizabalaga.
Gabriel Jesus (Kiwior, 81″), N/R — Optimistic in possession and tried to make one thing occur by going alone with a dribbling run by the Bournemouth defence earlier than he was eased off the ball.
Ethan Nwaneri (Merino, 81″) N/R — Launched for Merino however Arsenal could not garner any management of the sport to start a late comeback.
