Arsenal returned into the top half of the table, courtesy to a fine win over Bournemouth that showed how good Arsenal can be on their day. They face a tough opponent in Chelsea almost immediately and Arsene Wenger would hope the side keeps their confident run intact.
Here are the three talking points from the game-
The only way to get people on your side is to perform
These are the exact words Arsene Wenger said in the post-match interview when asked about Alexis Sanchez’s mixed welcome to the home ground since last season. However, this idea encompasses the whole Arsenal team as well. The North London endured a horrible two weeks that started with a heavy defeat to Liverpool and exacerbated by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving the club.
The club’s inability to get in a fresh face on the last day of the transfer market even led to mobs vandalizing an Arsenal merchandise shop and even writing on the stadium wall. Pundits and critics have vomited criticism and disgust on the squad and the manager. And the only way they would regain all the respect is through performances like this. Effort, respect for the shirt and urgency- Arsenal players showed every bit of it today and the result followed.
Arsene Wenger finally gets him team selection right
The French manager was a subject of hellish criticism for his team selection against Liverpool last game. With the manager already knowing the huge uncertainties in the minds of Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, playing them and putting all the others in a vulnerable position was entirely his fault. While his decision not to start Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette in that game is still a mystery, the gaffer seems to have got back some sanity.
Kolasinac started on the left wing-back’s role, the one that got him into the Bundesliga team of the year last campaign, and got an assist almost immediately. Alexandre Lacazette started on his preferred centre forward role, from where he had scored over 30 goals for AS Lyon last season. Wenger finally unearthed the secret that playing good players in their preferred position can win you games. He also played Hector Bellerin on his natural right flank position. Wow!
Francis Coquelin’s injury
The astounding win has taken away the light from Coquelin’s injury as Arsenal’s only natural defensive midfielder limped off the ground with a hamstring injury that looked quite serious. Arsene Wenger has already clarified that he is out of the next of the game against Chelsea, leaving Arsenal with Mohamed Elneny and a half-fit Jack Wilshere to replace.
Both the players are likely to feature in the Europa League group stage game against FC Koln following which a decision will be made, but Arsenal’s defensive coherence surely gets slashed by half by this.
