David Luiz scored the only goal inside 10 minutes as Arsenal scrapped to a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Emirates on Sunday.
The three points moves us back into third position and only one point behind Manchester City after eight games this season. It was also our first clean sheet at home this season and only our second in the Premier League following our opening day victory at Newcastle.
Here are my ratings from Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth:
Bernd Leno 7 – The German goalkeeper made the odd save that he was required to make, but apart from a Callum Wilson opportunity shortly after half-time, he wasn’t greatly tested.
Calum Chambers 8 – Offered good width when pushing forward down the right wing and defended very well too. An upgrade on Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the right-back role whilst Hector Bellerin is recovering from his long lay-off. Calum Chambers denied Josh King a certain goal.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos 8 – Callum Wilson beat the centre-back for pace on one occasion, but on the whole the Greek international looked solid in this game and helped us weather the storm after the break.
David Luiz – 8 – Scored the only goal of the game and made some important tackles to deny Bournemouth getting in on Leno’s goal.
Sead Kolasinac 5 – The weakest point of our back four was certainly down the left where Bournemouth saw had plenty of luck up against Sead Kolasinac. When he got forward himself his crossing was aimless.
Granit Xhaka 5 – Slowed the game down when really we could have done with being more menacing in looking for a second. A rare game for Granit Xhaka to escape without a yellow card but once again he committed more fouls than he did winning back possession.
Matteo Guendouzi 6 – The usual hustle in the middle of the park but Bournemouth did have some success passing the ball around Matteo Guendouzi. Didn’t offer too much going forward today.
Dani Ceballos 7 – Played some nice passes and created a couple of chances. Dani Ceballos could have done with more support in the middle though.
Bukayo Saka 6 – Felt like the teenager was trying too hard to impress and did up conceding possession on a number of occasions where passing the ball was the better option. Still, he did his job in creating a couple of chances in the left wing role. Not bad and at this stage of his career the game time is invaluable.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 6 – Didn’t receive the best of service up front today and only tested Aaron Ramsdale on one occasion.
Nicolas Pepe 6 – Another game in which Nicolas Pepe Showed flashes of what he is capable of without reaching the heights. The club record signing provided the corner which David Luiz headed home.
Substitutes
Gabriel Martinelli (29 mins) 6 – Earned himself an appearance off the bench after his Europa League brace on Thursday. Gabriel Martinelli provided a spark shortly after coming on.
Joe Willock (17 mins) N/A – Saw little of the ball as it was Bournemouth pressing us when Joe Willock came on.
Lucas Torreira (9 mins) N/A – Introduced late on to help see out the 1-0 victory.
