After two consecutive defeats and a dog’s dinner of a transfer window, Arsenal finally gave their fans something to cheer about with a deserved 3-0 win against Bournemouth at the Emirates.
After failing to get his move to Man City on Deadline Day, Alexis Sanchez started the game on the bench, where he saw the hosts dominate from the off.
Danny Welback, playing in Sanchez’s wide-left position, would open the scoring after just six minutes, courtesy of a trademark bundled finish after good work from Sead Kolasinac.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Gunners found themselves 2-0 up, with Alexandre Lacazette producing a fine finish from the edge of the box after nice interplay with Welbeck.
Soon after the break, Jermain Defoe hit the frame of the Arsenal goal, however this would prove to be a rare moment of attacking threat from the Cherries.
On 50 minutes, Eddie Howe’s side would find themselves 3-0 down, with Welbeck scoring from a very tight angle.
That goal all but ended the contest, with the Gunners remaining in control for the rest of the game.
Late on, the hosts went down to 10 men, with sub Francis Coquelin forced off due to injury.
The Frenchman’s hamstring injury was preceded by a rather incredible ‘dead fish’ fall…
That’s probably the worst dive in premier league history AHAHAH IM ACTUALLY CRYING COQUELIN MATE pic.twitter.com/C0Klr5fZfV
— will ;/ (@WiIIUtd) September 9, 2017
It even warranted a rather fine Game of Thrones tribute…
Coquelin 😂😂
[via @tut2b]pic.twitter.com/vesXXMwyRl
— Nihad Gööner (@niherd09) September 9, 2017
The win sees Arsenal somewhat steady the ship, although very little can be taken from a home win against a very poor Bournemouth.
Although at least Arsene Wenger played the likes of Kolasinac and Bellerin in their correct positions for once.
As for the insipid Bournemouth, with no points on the board after four games, a relegation battle looks likely already.