Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth: Gunners extend lead at top of Premier League

Goals from Buakyo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice help the Gunners ease past Bournemouth



Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth: Gunners extend lead at top of Premier League

Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers fouls Kai Havertz of Arsenal to give away a penalty. CREDIT: Mark Leech/ OFFSIDE


Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth: 

Arsenal put the pressure back on Manchester City in the Premier League title race after easing past Andoni Iraola's visitors on a sunny Saturday lunchtime in North London.

Bukayo Saka's penalty moments before half time, prior to Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice's second half efforts were enough to extend Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Mikel Arteta's side dominated the majority of the match, as they moved four points clear of Manchester City, albeit with Pep Guardiola's relentless side having played two matches fewer.

In a first half that saw Arsenal camped in the Cherries half, the match did appear to be heading into half time goalless.

That was until Saka's spot kick was awarded - following an interminable VAR check of course - by referee David Coote, after Cherries keeper Mark Travers brought down Kai Havertz in the box.

Saka making no mistake to slot home for 1-0 and relieve the pressure somewhat at an atmospheric Emirates despite the early kick-off.

Saka could have doubled the lead shortly after the interval but his low shot was saved by Travers. It was Havertz turn to drill a shot narrowly wide as Arsenal continued to dominate.

David Raya saved well from Dominic Solanke following a move that started after Martin Odegaard, then Thomas Partey, appeared to have been clattered into. Referee Coote refused to award a foul for either, as Raya showed his worth to block from the Cherries' dangerous No9. Raya, then gathered from Alex Scott shortly afterwards, as Iraola's side attacked for what seemed like the first time in the match.

Stung. Arsenal swept upfield with Gabriel's header fizzing the wrong side of the near post, prior to Odegaard's shot flying over Travis' bar in the next attack.

As the game opened up Bournemouth went close twice through Justin Kluivert.

However, title chasers Arsenal simply stepped up a gear, with FWA Footballer of the Year runner-up Declan Rice powering into the box, before feeding Trossard, who promptly fired past Travers to double the Gunners lead with 20 minutes to go.

The visitors thought they had pulled a goal back shortly afterwards, but Solanke was adjudged to have fouled Raya in the build up to Semenyo’s ‘goal’ that was chalked off by VAR.

It was Arsenal's turn to have a goal disallowed when defender Gabriel's superb strike was disallowed as Havertz was deemed offside. A shame for those who enjoy long-range efforts showcasing excellent techniques, but in the scheme of things the other fact that mattered was Arteta's Arsenal picking up another three vital points - to make it three wins on the bounce since their mini-blip against Aston Villa and Bayern Munich.

The scoreline extended with Rice's late effort to make it 3-0.

Over to you, Guardiola and City, who play Wolves at there Etihad in Saturday's 530pm kick-off, as this utterly absorbing title race continues unabated.


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