Arsenal have come a long way under Mikel Arteta since the former midfielder became manager in 2019, and there have been a lot of memorable moments.
Trips to face AFC Bournemouth are not the most glamorous on paper for Arsenal fans, but they have been some of the most dramatic and enjoyable games in recent years, whilst several players will view the Vitality Stadium as the home of some of their most significant moments for the club.
Arsenal have a strong record against Bournemouth, with their last dropped points against the Cherries coming in December 2019, and their only defeat to them in the Premier League era coming in January 2018 under Arsene Wenger.
Five key moments away at Bournemouth have helped shape the Arteta era at Arsenal, and fans have had some of their best days in these fixtures.
Mikel Arteta’s first game in charge of Arsenal was away at Bournemouth
Arteta’s first game as a manager came on Boxing Day 2019, as Arsenal travelled to Bournemouth hoping to record a rare positive result after a dismal start to the season under Unai Emery.
After returning to the club he retired at, Arteta’s first chance to start implementing his style came at the Vitality Stadium.
Arsenal fell behind as Dan Gosling struck in the first half, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rescued a point for the visitors.
Arsenal and Arteta have come on leaps and bounds since, but Arteta’s project began by rescuing a point away at Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.
Bukayo Saka announced himself in Hale End explosion in FA Cup victory at Bournemouth
Bukayo Saka is now one of the best players in the Premier League, and Arsenal fans have watched him develop in the Hale End Academy.
Whilst Saka was highly rated within the club, he began to announce himself as a huge talent in Emery’s final months in charge.
However, it was under Arteta that Saka really exploded, initially as a left-back. The Spaniard’s first FA Cup game in charge came away at Bournemouth, and Arteta selected a young lineup.
The likes of Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson played alongside Matteo Guendouzi and Gabriel Martinelli, and two Hale End products in Saka and Nketiah scored in a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth.
Saka was particularly impressive as he scored with an outstanding finish before setting up Nketiah to score with an excellent cross, and Arsenal put Bournemouth to the sword, and Hale End on the map, en route to winning the FA Cup.
Gabriel Jesus showed his true quality away at Bournemouth
One of the most fondly remembered games of the last three seasons was Arsenal’s 3-0 victory away at Bournemouth in August 2022.
Arsenal started the season in electric form, and a lot of that was down to summer signing Gabriel Jesus, who elevated the team into title challengers.
Jesus was phenomenal at the beginning of that season, and his performance away at Bournemouth was truly memorable.
Despite not scoring, the striker was awarded the player of the match award as the home side simply could not handle him.
Jesus did have a goal disallowed for offside after an excellent finish, but it was his dribbling which really caught the eye.
The Brazilian caused chaos in the box, which enabled Martin Odegaard to score his second goal, whilst he oozed class throughout.
It was a game which saw Jesus at his very best, and Arsenal exceed expectations in what was an incredible start to the season.
William Saliba opens Arsenal account as fans create new chant
Jesus’ performance capped off an incredible day for Arsenal fans at the Vitality Stadium. The popular pink third kit was given a rare outing, and William Saliba continued his outstanding start to life at the club.
Saliba made an instant impact as he arrived in the first team squad in 2022, and the 3-0 victory away at Bournemouth saw him score his first goal in style, with an outrageous first-time hit from the edge of the box on his weak foot.
This game also saw the Arsenal away fans debut Saliba’s chant, which is still sung at the Emirates Stadium two years on. The sun was shining, and the fans were relentless as they serendaded their centre-back, who has now developed into one of the best in the world.
Kai Havertz’s relief as fans create another chant at Bournemouth
Kai Havertz had a difficult start to his Arsenal career, as he faced heavy criticism after failing to deliver in his opening few weeks.
A 4-0 victory away at Bournemouth was one of the most important moments in his turnaround in form at the club. Odegaard allowed Havertz to take a penalty to make it 4-0, which he comfortably dispatched, in a moment which showed the unity in the squad.
Havertz had netted his first Arsenal goal, and this helped give him some confidence whilst under huge pressure. One year on, and the German is flying as a centre-forward.
The trip to Bournemouth was also memorable as fans were able to sing Havertz’s chant for the first time, with the travelling support singing “Kai Havertz scores again” non stop after he netted his penalty.
The 25-year-old is now a crucial player for Arsenal, and many look back at the show of faith from his teammates and the fans in that game at Bournemouth as a vital step in his development at the club.
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