Only Manchester City have a better home record than Arsenal this season and Bournemouth, with so many absentees, looked unlikely to change that.
Arsenal had some nervy moments in the first half and contrived to let the visitors back in after taking a 2-0 lead through Ozil and Mkhitaryan. Guendouzi switched off in possession and allowed Mousset to reply in the 30th minute.
The Gunners were just warming up and goals by Koscielny, Aubameyang and Lacazette finished off the game in style, setting up a massive clash between the Emirates Club and their North London neighbours on Saturday.
Here are Arsenal Player Ratings:
Leno – 7 – Alert as always and ready to bail the Gunners out with some important saves. Not much could be done for the Bournemouth goal, deprived of a clean sheet.
Sokratis – 7.5 – Bullish and ready to fight from the first whistle, he embodies the best of Arsenal and acquitted himself well.
Koscielny – 7 – A surprise inclusion but as always, he wasn’t scared to put the vulnerable body parts on the line in an emergency. Nearly sustained an injury, something we say almost weekly.
Monreal – 7 – Seems to be recovering confidence and fitness, never put a foot wrong but one suspects his time is coming to an end at the Emirates, like his Captain.
Jenkinson – 7 – A rare outing for the defender and about time.
Emery seems to be suffering from delayed reactions when it comes to giving out chances. Jenkinson should have been the automatic choice for Bellerin’s position instead of Lichsteiner.
Plays with grit and heart.
Torreira – 7 – Reads the game so well and is able to sniff out danger and snuff it out. The heart of Arsenal’s engine and next season, with a few additions, he will be even more competitive in support of the strikers.
Guendouzi – 6 – Not his best game, willing with lots of energy but not involved in the key moments of the game and got caught in possession for the Bournemouth goal.
Kolasinac – 8 – Another top quality performance, especially early on before being subbed.Set the tone of the match and was a constant threat. Goes from strength to strength.
Mkhitaryan – 9 – Each week sees the Armenian show his worth. He’s been in with a shout for ‘man of the match’ on the last few occasions. Really coming into his own, Emery dare not leave him out at present.
Ozil – 10 – There’s been so much said but the German poked his coach in the eye with a glittering ‘man of the match performance’ few can do what this player does with so little effort. His speed of thought is sensational and I’m hoping that Emery now appreciates what the rest of us have known for some time.
It’s not going to be every week but it’s worth the wait.
Aubameyang – 7 – A decent contribution and he took his goal well, always looking to support Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Kolasinac.
Emery just has to find a system that incorporates both him and Lacazette.
SUBS
Iwobi – 6 – I didn’t expect him to feature but what he did, he did well. Loves pushing forward. Put himself in the shop window for the Spurs game.
Suarez – 6 – We are still waiting to see what all the fuss is about.
Made some runs, performed some dribbles but I’m just not sure what we have yet. We keep saying that he’s due to start a game but he really is.
Lacazette – 7 – The Frenchman is always good value, looking to get Arsenal in the danger areas and he is always ready to work his socks off to get a goal. Great free kick and could have had another goal late on.
