AFC Bournemouth
Arsenal showed their ruthless streak and climbed to the Premier League summit after triumphing 3-0 against AFC Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Scott Parker’s team were on the back foot after going 2-0 down inside the opening 12 minutes but gave a good account of themselves during an improved second-half showing.
The Cherries were left with a mountain to climb after the Gunners had raced ahead, Martin Odegaard netting the loose ball after Gabriel Martinelli’s initial shot had been saved by Mark Travers in the fifth minute.
And just six minutes later, the newly-appointed Gunners captain rifled his and their second past Travers, the goal standing following a VAR check for offside.
William Saliba added a third goal for the Gunners nine minutes into the second half, the France international finding the top corner with a stunning strike from just inside the box.
Recent recruit Marcos Senesi was handed his full Premier League debut as head coach Parker made three changes following the defeat at Manchester City.
Senesi, who joined the Cherries from Feyenoord earlier this month, came in with Jordan Zemura and Phil Billing, while Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie and Jack Stacey dropped to the bench.
Chris Mepham climbed well to head clear from a dangerous Odegaard cross as the visitors made most of the early running in the Dorset sunshine.
The Gunners drew first blood in the fifth minute, the goal owing much to the tenacity of Gabriel Jesus, who initially seized possession after challenging Senesi for a high ball.
Jesus then embarked on a mazy run to the edge of the 18-yard box before slipping a lovely reverse pass into the feet of Gabriel Martinelli.
And although Martinelli’s low shot was parried by Travers, the Cherries goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Odegaard from sweeping home the loose ball.
Arsenal quickly doubled their lead, the visitors’ second goal allowed to stand following a check by VAR for offside.
Bukayo Saka held up play until Ben White arrived on the right flank to latch on to his teammate’s pass, the defender timing his run to perfection.
And after White had pulled the ball back and Jesus had taken a touch, Gunners captain Odegaard finished with accuracy past Travers, giving the Cherries goalkeeper no chance.
Zemura seemed a tad unfortunate to receive a booking for a foul on Saka, with an unmarked Granit Xhaka allowing Odegaard’s free kick to escape him at the far past.
Lewis Cook and Jaidon Anthony replaced Sensei and Ben Pearson at the interval, Anthony coming on to make his Premier League debut against the club he spent his formative years with.
Lerma outjumped the Gunners defence to meet a Lloyd Kelly cross, only for Ramsdale to race off his line and collect the ball before Gabriel headed clear from Adam Smith’s centre.
A promising start to the second half saw Ramsdale claim Mepham’s header from Kelly’s long throw and Lerma fire wide after the Gunners goalkeeper’s kick had flicked Anthony.
Despite their improved showing, the Cherries fell further behind when Saliba added Arsenal’s third nine minutes after the break.
The France international caressed a delightful shot into the top corner from just inside the box after Xhaka had laid the ball into his path with Travers again having no chance.
Martinelli, who skied one effort into the Ted MacDougall Stand, went close to adding a fourth when his clipped shot bounced just past the upright.
Jesus thought he had bagged his third goal of the season when he dinked the ball over Travers in the 73rd minute, the strike ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
Marcus Tavernier’s low drive flashed past the post after Kieffer Moore had found him, the Wales international then having a glancing header saved by Ramsdale.
Tavernier’s curling free kick from 25 yards narrowly missed the base of Ramsdale’s right-hand post before Travers beat away Eddie Nketiah’s fierce drive and saved from Emile Smith Rowe.
AFC Bournemouth: Travers, Smith, Mepham, Senesi (Anthony, h-t), Kelly, Zemura, Lerma, Pearson (Cook, h-t), Tavernier, Billing (Christie, 65), Moore.
Unused subs: Marcondes, Stacey, Lowe, Siriki, Hill, Neto (g/k).
Booked: Zemura, Smith.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White (Tomiyasu, 74), Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka (Sambi Lokonga, 88), Saka (Tierney, 88), Odegaard (Smith Rowe, 74), Martinelli (Nketiah, 74), Jesus.
Unused subs: Holding, Vieira, Elneny, Turner (g/k).
Booked: Jesus.
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Attendance: 10,423.
