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Bournemouth logo
Premier League | Gameweek 13
Nov 25, 2018 at 1.30pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

1-2

King (45')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Lerma (30' og.), Aubameyang (67')

Live Commentary: Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Arsenal return to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the Vitalty Stadium.
2

Arsenal have recorded a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in Sunday's Premier League fixture at the Vitality Stadium.

The Gunners went ahead when Jefferson Lerma sent a 15-yard volley into his own net, but Josh King found an equaliser for the Cherries before the break.

However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's close-range effort in the second half secured the win for Arsenal and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 17 matches.

Find out how all of the action unfolded on the South coast courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Bournemouth and Arsenal. Both sides have enjoyed a fine start to the season, but defeat for either team this afternoon may lead to a lot of their positive work being undone.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with the home side...

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Begovic; Francis, S.Cook, Ake, Daniels; Brooks, Gosling, Lerma, Fraser; King, Wilson

BOURNEMOUTH SUBSTITUTES: Boruc, Mings, Surman, L.Cook, Stanislas, Mousset, Defoe


ARSENAL XI: Leno, Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Torreira, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Cech, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Ramsey, Ozil, Guendouzi, Nketiah


Let's start with Bournemouth and Eddie Howe has handed a starting role to Josh King after the Norwegian's recovery from an ankle injury which has kept him out since the goalless draw with Southampton on October 20.

Howe has also been forced to make an alteration at left-back after Adam Smith was ruled out for three months with a knee injury picked up at Newcastle United before the international break. Charlie Daniels has been brought back into the team.

Dan Gosling returns after coming on as a substitute against the Magpies. Jordon Ibe and Lewis Cook are the players to drop out of the team.

Ibe doesn't feature among the Bournemouth replacements, but Howe still has plenty of options at his disposal. Junior Stanislas, Lys Mousset and Jermain Defoe will all hope to get onto the pitch during the second half.

As for Arsenal, Unai Emery has opted for a change in formation and it has resulted in Mesut Ozil being dropped down to the substitutes' bench. Emery is going with a 3-4-3 and it has resulted in both Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan getting the nod over the German.

There is also no Alexandre Lacazette, who is still struggling with the injury which he sustained during the international break. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had also been a fitness doubt, but the Gabon international leads the line.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles had been in contention for his first start since the opening day of the season, but Sead Kolasinac will be used in the left wing-back position. Hector Bellerin takes on the same role on the opposite flank with Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi remaining in the middle of the park.

The back three is made up of Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding. It's an interesting change from Emery before none of the trio are blessed with blistering pace, and Bournemouth are known to play with a really high tempo in attack.

It's a strong-looking bench, despite the absence of Lacazette. Aubameyang has not completed the 90 minutes on too many occasions this season, so youngster Eddie Nketiah could be called upon during the closing stages.

Bournemouth began the weekend in sixth place, but Everton's win over Cardiff City and Manchester United's draw with Crystal Palace has resulted in the Cherries dropping down to eighth position.

Arsenal are in fifth spot and victory on the South coast will see the North London outfit move to within a point of Chelsea.


This will be Arsenal's captain for the afternoon. The Switzerland international will be keen to make amends after his mistake against Wolverhampton Wanderers before the international break helped the West Midlands side claim a point.



Bournemouth have generally performed well in front of their own supporters since promotion to the Premier League, and the Cherries have suffered just two defeats in 10 home games. Both setbacks have come against Manchester United.

A last-minute goal gave United a 2-1 win here earlier this month, and it has been a trend in Bournemouth's matches with seven of the 16 goals that they have conceded coming in the closing 20 minutes.

However, Bournemouth's defence have shipped just five goals in their last six outings in the Premier League, although all but one of those have come in the last two matches.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Bournemouth have been free-scoring and they have only failed to score in two home fixtures throughout 2018.

Let's turn our attention to Arsenal now, who have made the trip to the South coast having recorded 12 wins and four draws since a narrow defeat to Chelsea on August 18.

However, despite putting together a 16-match unbeaten run, four draws have come from their last five outings and it has piled the pressure on trying to achieve a positive result today given their upcoming schedule.

You shouldn't necessarily expect a fast start from Arsenal today. They are yet to hold a lead at half time, which says a lot about the character of the team given their showings after the break.

Arsenal have played just five away fixtures in the Premier League this season - at least one less than every other team - but they have still scored 14 goals, which was the second-highest total at the beginning of the weekend.

This was Arsenal arriving at the Vitality Stadium earlier today. They were all smiles then, but will that remain the same throughout the afternoon?



PREDICTION! Bournemouth have already shown this season that they are capable of causing problems for the best teams in the division, but it remains to be seen whether the setback at St James' Park has dented their confidence. Arsenal under-performed in their last fixture, and we expect Emery's side to bounce back on the South coast. Arsenal to prevail by a 2-1 scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD! Sunday's meeting will represent just the eighth competitive clash between the two clubs, with Arsenal registering five wins in comparison to just one victory for Bournemouth.

The only meeting not to take place in the Premier League was a League Cup tie back in 1987, and Arsenal have had the better of the games in the top flight with four wins coming from six games.

However, Bournemouth prevailed by a 2-1 scoreline in the most recent meeting back in January, with Wilson and Ibe completing a comeback win. Click here to read our match report from that contest.

It's time for the two teams to start making their way out at the Vitality Stadium. The ground is always rocking ahead of a game at this compact arena and today is no different.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Begovic; Francis, S.Cook, Ake, Daniels; Brooks, Gosling, Lerma, Fraser; King, Wilson

ARSENAL XI: Leno, Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Torreira, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Aubameyang


KICKOFF:  Bournemouth get us underway!

It has been a really fast start from both sides. Bournemouth almost found a way through Arsenal's back three twice inside the opening minute while at the other end, Mkhitaryan has had a low shot well blocked by a defender.

Bournemouth are already having plenty of joy down the flanks. There is so much space for King and Wilson to run into. It is likely to force Bellerin and Kolasinac to drop a little deeper.

We are still awaiting for either goalkeeper to be forced into action but it surely won't be long. Arsenal are now starting to settle into this match.

DISALLOWED GOAL!  Bournemouth have the ball in the back of the net with Brooks slotting a shot past Leno from 12 yards out, but the Wales international was adjudged to be offside. It was a difficult call, but the midfielder may just have been onside.

OFF THE POST!  Arsenal go straight up the other end and hit the post! Torreira got free around 30 yards out and lashed an effort against Begovic's right-hand post before the rebound was fired over.

It has been a really encouraging start from both teams and the first goal surely can't be too far away. Neither defence looks full of confidence.

A strong challenge from Mustafi is probably worthy of a yellow card in this day and age, but the referee handles it well by bringing in Xhaka to assist with handing the defender a warning.

Bournemouth win a corner on the right flank, but Arsenal have few problems in getting the ball clear.

SHOT!  The home side remain on the offensive and a cross from Francis manages to find Wilson around 12 yards from goal, but the forward's header is lacking power and Leno makes the easy claim.

We have not really seen much of Arsenal in an attacking sense since that Torreira shot which hit the post. The Gunners are still passing the ball about neatly, but they appear wary of committing too many men forward.

SHOT!  Kolasinac does well to win the ball back inside the Bournemouth penalty area and it eventually finds it way to Iwobi. However, the winger is too eager to get his effort away and a low strike is easily saved by Begovic.

CHANCE!  Arsenal win a corner which goes all the way through to Aubameyang at the back post. You would back the forward to at least hit the target, but a volley is sent over the bar from 12 yards out.

YELLOW CARD!  Sokratis goes into the book but holding back King as he looked to move into the penalty area. A very easy decision for the referee.

Fraser forces Leno in a decent save from the resulting free kick, but the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul on Torreira inside the area.

We've had a bit of a break in play with Brooks having twisted his ankle by the touchline, but the playmake should be fine to continue.

GOAL!  Bournemouth 0-1 Arsenal (Jefferson Lerma own goal)

Lerma has just scored one of the greatest own goals that you will ever see. Kolasinac's cutback from the left was scuffed to a certain extent and Lerma was attempting to volley the ball behind for a corner. However, from 15 yards out, he has lashed the ball powerfully past Begovic!

Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma reacts to scoring an own goal against Arsenal on November 25, 2018© Reuters


It's really harsh on Bournemouth who had probably edged the opening half hour, but they now have to try to find a way back into this match. Arsenal are yet to hold a half-time lead in the Premier League this season...

SHOT!  That said, Arsenal are remaining on the front foot now and they almost find a second through Iwobi, who sees his 25-yard curler well kept out by Begovic.

Wilson tries to wriggle away from Holding inside the Arsenal half and it's only a matter of time before the referee blows his whistle for a shirt-tug from the Arsenal defender. No booking, though. Holding could have had no complaints had he been cautioned.

Bournemouth get Daniels to the byline and the left-back should get a cross into the middle. However, he slips when attempting to pull the ball back for a teammate. It's been that kind of half for the home side.

SHOT!  Francis's clearance only reaches the edge of the penalty area and Mkhitaryan is there to get a volley away. However, the Armenian's effort hits the top of the stand, which tells you how bad it actually was.

I think that Howe will be pleased to get his players back into the changing rooms. Arsenal have really grown into this match and look more likely to score the second goal in this game.

The first half is starting to peter out a little now, which will probably suit the home team. Still, there are plenty of positives for Bournemouth to take from the opening 45 minutes. They just haven't had luck on their side.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

GOAL!  Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal (Josh King)

WHAT A COUNTER-ATTACK! Bournemouth go from back to front in the space of 15 seconds - the final 15 seconds of the first half - with Wilson bursting down the left before finding Brooks in-field. The Welshman quickly picks out King who is standing to his right and the Norway international curls a shot into the top corner of the net from 16 yards! You won't see a better break-away all weekend.

Josh King scores for Bournemouth against Arsenal in their Premier League clash on November 25, 2018.© Reuters


HALF TIME:  Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal

The half-time whistle goes at the Vitality Stadium and we go into the break on level terms. It appeared that Lerma's well-struck own goal had given Arsenal the lead at the break, but King's strike has set things up perfectly for the second half.

We've had a quite ridiculous own goal and a quite stunning counter-attack. There isn't one player in the Premier League who wouldn't have been proud of Lerma's volley on the slide from 15 yards. The Colombia international couldn't believe what he had done! King's goal before the break has certainly made up for it, however. No Arsenal players could get near Bournemoth's attackers before he curled a delightful effort into the far top corner.

KICKOFF:  We are back underway at the Vitality Stadium.

Arsenal are trying to go on the front foot at the start of this second half, but they look a bit shell-shocked. Bournemouth are doing what they need to at this stage and that is to nullify anything which is coming their way.

Mkhitaryan has enjoyed a lively start to this second half and almost managed to find a way into the penalty area, only for Ake to use his strength to ease him off the ball.

YELLOW CARD!  The same duo go head to head in the middle of the pitch and Ake goes into the book for a late challenge on the Arsenal man.

Bournemouth are starting to show their quality in the final third again, but Fraser's cross from the right evades everyone and Arsenal survive.

We are still awaiting the first change of this match but both managers have various options to choose from. I'd be surprised if Emery didn't use Ramsey or Ozil sooner rather than later.

SHOT!  The Gunners go back on the offensive and Torreira is able to get another shot away from the edge of the area. However, the Uruguayan's effort is deflected wide on this occasion.

The start to the second half has been very similar to that of the first, but the end product has been lacking since the restart. In general, both teams are playing well.

Arsenal are showing the greater intent, however. It's not often that Bournemouth get out-passed on their own pitch - especially in dangerous areas - but that is the case right now.

CHANCE!  Lerma nearly helps Arsenal score for the second time in this match! The midfielder ran into trouble around 40 yards out but after Mkhitaryan found Aubameyang, the striker fired over from the edge of the area. He should do better.

SHOT!  Bournemouth go straight back up the other end and Fraser is able to get a shot away, but the Scott's attempt from 14 yards is too close to Leno.

YELLOW CARD!  Lerma now goes into the book for pulling back Mustafi.

GOAL!  Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang)

Arsenal retake the lead and it's Aubameyang who gets the second. Kolasinac was played in down the left and the Bosnian's low cross was diverted into the far corner by his teammate.

It is very nearly three. Aubameyang is able to break forward with pace and he sets up Mkhitaryan. However, the playmaker's touch is heavy and he then tries to rabona himself out of trouble, only to send the ball out of play.

There are changes on the way for Bournemouth. Howe desperately needs to change something here because his side are beginning to get over-run.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Lewis Cook and Stanislas have been introduced for Gosling and Brooks.

The Bournemouth supporters are attempting to lift their side, but it is proving to be easier said than done. They have lost all of their rhythm, and Arsenal are ready to pick them off on the break.

It's somewhat of a surprise that Emery hasn't opted to make an alteration with this system demanding on the legs, but I don't suppose that he necessarily has the players in reserve who could slot in without tinkering the system.

SUBSTITUTION! Emery does make a change now with Guendouzi replacing the hard-working Torreira.

CHANCE!  Big chance for Stanislas. A cross from the left finds the substitute around eight yards from goal, but the ball gets stuck under his foot and he can only poke it tamely at Leno.

SUBSTITUTION! Emery makes a second switch in quick succession with Ramsey replacing Iwobi.

SUBSTITUTION! Bournemouth also make their third chance as Mousset comes on for King.

OFF THE POST!  What a strike from Lerma and this time, it is towards the Arsenal goal. However, the midfielder's 25-yard effort hits the post and goes away from danger.

Bournemouth are really giving this a good go, but Arsenal have started to regain control over the last minute or so. You'd be surprised if Bournemouth don't create one more decent chance, though.

CHANCE!  Was that the chance? A corner is whipped in and Sokratis diverts the ball towards his own goal, with Leno required to scamper across his line and claw it away from the far corner.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

Credit to Arsenal - they are still trying to find a third goal - but it looks like two will be enough.

SUBSTITUTION! Arsenal's third change sees Nketiah replace Aubameyang.

Bournemouth win a late free kick right on the edge of the area. This will be the final action of the game...

SHOT!  Stanislas sends the ball a yard over the bar. That will be that.

FULL TIME:  Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal

The full-time whistle goes at the Vitality Stadium and Arsenal have held on for a 2-1 win. The Gunners just about deserve the three points, but the home side pushed them all the way. Arsenal now sit just a point behind fourth-placed Chelsea while Bournemouth remain in eighth spot.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.


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Unai Emery points a finger during the Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester City on August 12, 2018
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