Arsenal are matching club records set by The Invincibles - yet it still might not prove enough to win them the Premier League title.
This statement 3-0 triumph over Bournemouth was their 26th top-flight victory of the campaign - the same number achieved by Arsene Wenger's immortals of 2004. And it feels almost cruel that a team that boasts the tightest defence and most lethal attack could yet fall short in the title race.
Regardless, Arsenal took care of business both professionally and emphatically ahead of Manchester City's showdown with Wolves courtesy of goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice - even if at times, they had to ride their luck.
When they're in this swashbuckling, free-flowing mood with all key players onsong, Arsenal must also fancy their chances of collecting maximum points against upcoming opponents Manchester United and Everton.
They're starting to taste the Premier League title but crucially, they still require a favour from elsewhere, though perhaps the lack of pressure has helped drive Arsenal on following the sobering 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
Premier League odds and betting tips
For all of Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold's brilliance, it still feels an awful shame England will be starved of Ben White and Saka's irresistible chemistry down the right flank at this summer's European Championships.
International mystery aside, not only is White a fine defender but his ability to consistently affect attacks and bring the best from those around him means he is worth his weight in gold to Mikel Arteta.
Bukayo Saka struck the opener for Arsenal (Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)That was evident inside the opening 10 minutes when the makeshift English full-back arced his run around Kai Havertz before teeing up Trossard, whose vicious shot was blocked.
The slick move lifted the home crowd before a late, reckless tackle from Ryan Christie - that left Saka with a visible gash on his shin - stirred up the atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium.
It was an honest attempt to win a bouncing ball but there was not much to like about the Scotsman's challenge and he could be considered fortunate that VAR did not intervene. Trossard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey and Havertz then all went close before Rice lashed a glorious opening from inside the penalty box narrowly wide.
The Gunners finally made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Havertz was brought down by Cherries goalkeeper Travers after dragging his feet to initiate the contact.
Declan Rice was exceptional for Arsenal (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)This was not a dive, something the German has admittedly been guilty of this season, but his movement was undoubtedly calculated before Saka gratefully rolled home from 12-yards for his 16th Premier League goal of the season.
Arteta's head was in his hands five minutes after the break when Saka had all the time in the world following fine play from Havertz, only to fluff his lines. It served as a warning as moments later, Lewis Cook dispossessed Martin Odegaard before Dominic Solanke raced through on goal, only to be denied by the resilient David Raya.
Justin Kluivert also came close from a dipping free-kick before Arsenal finally got the two-goal cushion they had so desperately craved. Rice burst beyond Odegaard, collecting a loose ball before a graceful spin and nonchalant flick rolled perfectly into Trossard's path for the Belgian to rifle home.
Bournemouth's response was instant, however, Antoine Semenyo's strike was chalked off by VAR as Solanke was adjudged to have fouled Raya during a frantic scramble which also saw Christie rattle the crossbar.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Gabriel Magalhaes struck a left-footed firecracker to seemingly put the game to bed on 86 minutes but the goal was disallowed for offside against Havertz. Rice then had the final say when he powered home from a tight angle to cap a fine personal performance.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
