Arsenal continued their excellent record against AFC Bournemouth with a 3-0 win on the south coast. Victory ensured the Gunners won their first three league fixtures for the first time since 2004/05.
Arsenal began the game with the swagger of a team with a 100% record so far this season. Gabriel Jesus started with a fantastic run before he played in Gabriel Martinelli whose shot was saved, although Martin Ødegaard was on hand to poke home the rebound and give the Gunners an early lead. The visitor’s lead was doubled shortly afterwards when Ben White played the ball into Jesus, and he laid it off for Ødegaard, who clinically finished his chance for his second of the game. Arsenal continued to dominate the first half by holding onto the ball and dictating the tempo of the game. Neither side really created any clear-cut chances after Ødegaard’s brace, with the Gunners maintaining possession and trying to make an opening for themselves.
Bournemouth started much better after the interval as Aaron Ramsdale’s poor kick fell to Jefferson Lerma, who could only shoot over the bar from the edge of the area. Arsenal added their third shortly after – a smart set-piece routine from the Gunners found Granit Xhaka before he laid the ball off to William Saliba, who then swept an exquisite shot into the top corner with his left foot. Jesus thought he’d added a fourth for the Gunners after an inch-perfect pass from Ødegaard played him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the Brazilian was adjudged to be offside.
The Cherries almost pulled one back after Kieffer Moore played in Marcus Tavernier, but he could only direct his effort wide of the near post. Bournemouth continued to apply pressure, and Moore’s header required a fingertip save from Ramsdale to keep his clean sheet intact. Tavernier went close again from a free-kick but his effort again went narrowly wide of the upright and failed to test Ramsdale.
The result sends Arsenal top of the Premier League with Manchester City set to visit Newcastle United on Sunday. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s tough start to the league season continues with a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool next Saturday.
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