After failing to score in their previous three league games, Arsenal scored twice in the space of a minute and a half as they got their title tilt back on the right track with an important 2-0 win at Bournemouth. Mesut Ozil was once again instrumental as the Gunners closed the gap between them and Leicester City at the top of the table back to five points, with the two meeting next Sunday in what is set to be an intriguing encounter.
The game took a while to get going, with the main talking point of the opening exchanges Mathieu Flamini’s two-footed tackle on Dan Gosling, which he was lucky to escape with just a yellow. But the moment of pure class came from Arsenal in the 23rd minute, as Aaron Ramsey acutely found Olivier Giroud in the box, who headed down for Ozil to smash in a volley past Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc. It was the German’s fourth goal in the league this season, and his wonderful form continued.
Arsenal had gone three games without a goal in the Premier League and then two came in quick succession, as moments after Ozil’s opener, the Gunners doubled their advantage. Bournemouth failed to clear their lines, and more good work from Ramsey set up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who, from a tight angle, fired home Arsenal’s second via the post. This was the Arsenal of old, they were in full swing, and the game was pretty much done and dusted.
Bournemouth threatened several times before the break, with a fantastic save from Petr Cech denying Harry Arter, and moments after a last-ditch tackle from Hector Bellerin denied Marc Pugh halving the deficit.
In the second half, Arsenal were able to see the game out with no real trouble, as it was a much quieter affair. Bournemouth had the odd chance here and there, but the north Londoners were not really under any real threat, and coasted their way to three much-needed points.
The Gunners now have to prepare for their top of the table clash at home to Leicester next Sunday, in what is set to be a pivotal afternoon in the race for the Premier League title, with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur playing later on that day.
This is a real testing few weeks for Arsenal and could decide their season, with Leicester on Sunday, and Barcelona looming on the horizon. If Arsene Wenger’s men are to end their twelve year wait for Premier League glory, then they can not afford to drop any more silly points.
The stage is set for Arsenal to prove their critics wrong.
