Arsenal climbed to the top of the table with a comfortable 2-0 win against Bournemouth, largely thanks to Mesut Ozil. It was a much-needed win after their heaviest Premier League defeat of the season so far to Southampton. Petr Cech and co. also earned the eighth clean sheet of the season, handing the ‘keeper his record 170th clean sheet in the league.
Arsene Wenger started a rotated side, with Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gabriel all coming in to the starting line-up to replace Nacho Monreal, Mathieu Flamini, Joel Campbell and Laurent Koscielny respectively.
It took 20 minutes of the first half for Arsenal to really get started. Bournemouth looked composed and calm, putting the Gunners’ motley back line under pressure. There were early warning signs for the danger of Josh King’s pace against Per Mertesacker, but his defensive partner Gabriel proved his credentials with some brilliant recovery blocks. On the other side of the pitch, Ozil stole the show with a typically assured performance. He created six clear chances in the first half alone, contributing a lofted corner assist for Gabriel to power into the top corner and give Arsenal the lead. Another corner, minutes later, provided the most comical moment of the night as a Gabriel header hit the post and smacked blindly into Mertesacker’s face.
The second half was no different as Ozil laid continued to lay on chance after chance. In total he created nine clear-cut chances – the most of any player in the league this season. Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud’s lack of clinical finishing was perhaps the only disappointing point of the night. Walcott made a series of bright runs but it is disappointing that he has only contributed three PL goals so far.
Calum Chambers delivered a promising defensive midfield performance, tidy in possession and calm under pressure. He was notably better on the ball than Flamini, even managing to thread passes through several Bournemouth players. The only caveat is that the Cherries didn’t demand too much of him, and his positioning in relation to Aaron Ramsey was lacking at times. After a heavy festive schedule, Bournemouth lacked their characteristic energy and verve, leaving them unable to truly press their opposition, playing to Arsenal’s strengths.
In the 63rd minute, Ozil doubled the lead with some glorious one touch football. A quick one-two with Giroud ended up with Ozil sliding the ball past a flailing Artur Boruc, thanks to a quintessential Giroud flick. Arsenal continued to threaten but were unable to convert dominance into goals. Bournemouth simply could not cope with the pace of Hector Bellerin, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott, all of whom formed a constant threat down the wings. Bellerin, in particular, was back to his storming attacking best, bombing past hapless defenders. Oxlade-Chamberlain saw one shot hit the post after a rapid counter-attack, depriving him again of a much-needed goal.
It was a good night for Arsenal, allowing them to put the Saints defeat behind them and return to winning ways. At their most clinical, they could have won by five or six goals, but a tidy 2-0 win and clean sheet is a good foundation for the vital second half of the season.
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