Arsenal clashed with Bournemouth in an important Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta made two changes from the side that lost 1-0 to PSG in the Champions League as Ben White and Thomas Partey came into the side.
Jurrien Timber missed the clash with a knock and is now facing a race against time to be fit for the second leg in Paris.
Arsenal found the breakthrough midway through the first half as Martin Odegaard’s superb reverse pass found Declan Rice and the midfielder rounded the keeper and slammed home the opener.
Transfer target Dean Huijsen equalised for Bournemouth midway through the second half as some poor defending allowed the defender to glance home from a long throw.
Evanilson then put Andoni Iraola’s side in front when he bundled home from a corner following a tussle with Odegaard at the back post. The Gunners are now dragged into a real race for a top five finish as their poor domestic form continues.
So with that said, here’s a look at a few things we learned from Arsenal’s clash with Bournemouth.
Jurrien Timber at the Emirates despite injury scare
Gunners defender Timber has been excellent in his first full season with the club after an acl injury saw him make just one appearance in the 2023-24 campaign.
Timber came off against PSG with a knock and failed to recover in time for the clash with Bournemouth as White replaced him at right back.
However, Timber was seen watching his team mates from the stand and fans will be hoping that he can recover in time for Arsenal’s second leg in Paris as his ability to defend one v one will be crucial.
Bournemouth’s high press
Bournemouth were perfect preparation for PSG as they pressed high up the pitch from the very first whistle in the match.
David Raya was forced to thread passes through to the likes of Partey and Myles Lewis-Skelly inverting throughout the match in order for the Gunners to progress up the pitch.
It was perfect practice for a similar challenge that will face the Gunners in the Parc des Princes and they will also have the option of going more direct into Mikel Merino.
Declan Rice more comfortable in advanced role
Rice was asked to play in a deeper role against PSG and despite still giving everything for the cause, you got the impression the shackles were on the England international.
With Partey returning, Rice was set free in his usual more advanced role and he made the most of his licence to roam.
Arsenal’s record signing was magnificent, covering every blade of grass and was often the Gunners main focal point in attack, that being summed up by his excellent opening goal.
Dean Huijsen justifies Arsenal interest
Arsenal are interested in Dean Huijsen and the young Spanish defender would have done his chances of a summer switch to the Emirates no harm with his performance.
Huijsen was solid in his defensive duties, making some crucial blocks and interceptions, along with a good reading of the game.
However, what will have really caught the eye of Arteta and Arsenal fans was his range of passing and confidence in stepping out from the back and hitting accurate diagonal passes.
The icing on the cake was then Huijsen rising the highest in the box from a long throw to glance home the equaliser for the Cherries.
Arsenal’s set piece woes continue
From an attacking sense, Arsenal are the best in the business when it comes to set pieces but the focus will have to switch to the opposite end of the pitch.
Sky Sports showed that the Gunners had conceded 45% of their goals from set pieces before the game and that worsened with Bournemouth’s equaliser from a long throw in.
Huijsen was unchallenged to simply glance a floated throw into the corner and Arteta and Nicolas Jover have a real problem on their hands.
Things got worse for Arsenal as Evanilson turned in a scruffy second from a corner.
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