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How did Arsenal crush Bournemouth to pause the debate about Arsene Wenger's future?
How did Arsenal crush Bournemouth?
What was that about Arsenal being flat-track bullies again? Too quick to surrender against the stronger sides, too weak to challenge the big boys for the title, but ruthlessly brilliant when it comes to crushing the weaker sides in the Premier League.
Arsenal have been doing this for years under Arsene Wenger, losing games they need to win if they are going to be crowned champions, intermittently sparking a mini-crisis in North London and reigniting the rather tiresome debate about the Frenchman’s future, only to shut it down again with a classy display against one of English football’s plucky underdog teams. Bournemouth were completely out-classed here, although in their defence, some of Arsenal’s football was mesmerising.
When the Gunners play like this, when they pass the ball in little triangles with such speed and precision, that the opposition are constantly arriving a split second after the ball, when their attacking players in the team link up with such incisive one touch passing, Arsenal are brilliant. No, really, they are.
History suggests, Arsenal will probably go on a long unbeaten run now and as confidence rises, on and off the pitch, there will be some who even allow themselves to believe they are finally capable of mounting a serious title challenge. History, though, also warns it would be premature to get too excited because Arsenal won’t be able to play teams like Bournemouth every week.
Eddie Howe’s side are a sort of Arsenal-lite. They were too open, too easy to pass through and two nice to do the ugly things that can sometimes knock Wenger’s teams out of their rhythm.
An afternoon that started with the potential to turn sour for Wenger if Bournemouth had scored first, turned into a stroll, a timely confidence boost and a reminder that, for all their faults, it really can be good fun watching Arsenal play.
Why does Alexis Sanchez have more than just a few boos to worry about at Arsenal?
When Alexis Sanchez came on as a substitute in the second half, replacing Danny Welbeck, there were a few boos aimed at the Chilean. That tends to happen when a player makes no attempt to disguise the fact he wanted to leave in the summer and would have relished the opportunity to wear the Sky Blue of Manchester City.
The boos will probably fade away again as long as Sanchez knuckles down, but at the moment, he will struggle to get into the team.
Welbeck scored twice against Bournemouth and Lacazette got the other. They are starting to look like a proper partnership up front. As long as Welbeck stays fit, he is playing well enough to keep Sanchez on the bench.
As for Lacazette, what is there not to like? He works hard, he is skilful and he is scoring goals. The France international has not needed any time to adjust to English football and Arsenal must be delighted with their summer signing.
What is wrong with Jermain Defoe?
There were signs in the second half of last season at Sunderland, after his brilliant form before Christmas had earned him an England recall at the age of 34, that Defoe may have lost a bit of pace.
It’s not his speed over 50 metres, it is that explosive strength and suppleness from a standing start that allows the best poaching centre forwards to get away from their markers in and around the area. Defoe only scored once for Sunderland in his last 13 appearances and is yet to register his first goal for Bournemouth following a lucrative summer switch to the south coast.
It is a worry. Defoe has defied the ageing process for so long that we had probably started to assume he would still be playing at the top level when he turned 40.
However, there must be some concern at Bournemouth they have signed a fading force. Defoe will celebrate (or regret) his 35th birthday next month and will be 38 when his three-year deal at Bournemouth comes to an end. He is almost certainly the club’s top earner.
This was not really a Defoe type of game. He needs help up front and Bournemouth were never able to put Arsenal under pressure, but for a top-class striker, who remains in the England squad, the stats make depressing reading.
Defoe hit the post in the second half with a header and scooped a tough rebound chance wide, but Bournemouth have scored one league goal so far this season – a spectacular strike from left-back Charlie Daniels – and they need Defoe to step up or he will soon be stepping down.
What has gone wrong at Bournemouth?
Too early to start worrying about relegation? Yes, of course, but that does not disguise the fact Bournemouth have had a dreadful start, with four defeats.
The Cherries’ first priority at the start of every season is to do enough to stay up. They are by far the smallest club in the Premier League and nobody should lose sight of that.
Eddie Howe has done a superb job as manager and relegation probably would not even be a disaster in the grand scheme of things, but Bournemouth are also trying to improve every year and, at the moment, they appear to be deteriorating. Howe has some testing times ahead.
Man-of-the-match Alexandre Lacazette
Scored a lovely goal with a curling shot from the edge of the area, but it was his knack of harassing opposition defenders, forcing mistakes that caught the eye.
Deservedly given a standing ovation when he came off in the second half. A new Arsenal hero has arrived.