LONDON – Arsenal kept their Premier League title bid on track by beating Bournemouth 3-0 at home on Saturday as Mikel Arteta’s side put in another dominant display.
“We are top of the league!” was the chant at full time as Arsenal’s fans are believing their 20-year wait for the title is almost over. Excitement, delight and growing anticipation is in the air at Arsenal as they’re top of the table with two games of the season to go.
The Gunners took the lead just before half time through a contentious penalty kick as Bukayo Saka slotted home and after Bournemouth grew into the game in the second half. The ever-reliable Leandro Trossard stepped up in a big moment once again to seal the win with 20 minutes to go and Declan Rice clinched the win in stoppage time with Arsenal’s third.
With the win Arsenal momentarily moved four points clear of Manchester City, but City have two games in-hand. The Gunners have 83 points and have 26 wins on the season, their joint-best total of wins for a single season in Premier League history.
Bournemouth remain on 48 points as Andoni Iraola’s side had a go in the second half and can feel hard done by after a couple of big calls went Arsenal’s way.
William Saliba is Arsenal’s most important player
Saliba has not missed a single second of Arsenal’s Premier League season and that is why they’re still in the title race with two games of the season to go. His absence last season coincided with an almighty defensive meltdown and that was no coincidence. Twice on Saturday Saliba bailed out Arsenal as he recovered superbly in the first half to deny Solanke after Gabriel’s mistake, then turned on the jets to stop Kluivert’s counter and calmly keep possession of the ball. Saliba reminds you of Virgil van Dijk in his prime. So calm, powerful and efficient with everything he does. He even had a marauding run forward and should have scored in the first half as the similarities with Van Dijk are clear for all to see. Arsenal keeping another clean sheet, their 17th of the season (most in the PL) and conceding just 28 goals (the fewest in the PL) is in large part down to Saliba’s incredible calmness, durability and solidity. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice get plenty of praise, and rightly so, but there is a legitimate claim to be made that William Saliba is Arsenal’s most important player. When he’s not there, everything falls apart. Luckily Arsenal haven’t been without him this season. Saliba is one of those players who makes everyone around him better and more comfortable. Saliba is Arsenal’s MVP.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Rice, Havertz and Saka all stood tall, while Saliba was stunning in defense and shut down some dangerous counters. Travers stood tall in goal for Bournemouth and is making his case late in the season.
What’s next?
Arsenal head to Manchester United next Sunday, May 12. Bournemouth host Brentford on Saturday, May 11.
How to watch Arsenal vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 7:30am ET Saturday (May 4)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch online via NBC.com
Arsenal vs Bournemouth final score: 3-0
Saka 45', Trossard 70', Rice 90+7'
Arsenal vs Bournemouth live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright at Emirates Stadium
Full time: Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth
Aside from a couple of scary moments in the second half that was very comfortable for Arsenal. Two games to go and they are top of the league and have put the pressure on Manchester City in the title race. Another clean sheet for Arsenal and another win as their dreams of winning the Premier League title will go down to the final week of the season, at least.
Gabriel smashes home a beauty... but it won’t count
Gabriel smashes home a stunner... but Havertz was offside when the initial ball came in and the flag is up. What an incredible hit! Gabriel is gutted.
Chaos here as Bournemouth
Bournemouth have the ball in the back of the net but it is ruled out. Chaos. David Raya makes a mess of the clearance. Then the ball hits the bar from a shot and then Bournemouth finish. VAR having a good look at this, but no goal to Bournemouth. Wow.
That should do it for Arsenal! Trossard slots home to ease any nerves - Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth (70th minute)
Declan Rice does really well to turn and flick the ball to Trossard and the Belgian international makes no mistake as he sweeps home. That settles the nerves here among the home fans.
Saliba shuts down Kluivert expertly
William Saliba has been absolutely immense today. This time he denies Kluivert who looked like he was in on the counter, then calmly clips the ball forward to clear the danger. Saliba is one of just two outfield players to play every single minute in the Premier League this season for Are
Arteta calls for calm, Odegaard wants support
Mikel Arteta waving his arms trying to urge his players and the Arsenal fans to calm down. Martin Odegaard is also waving his arms to fire up the crowd. This has become way too open in the second half. Arsenal have lost control of the game. 25 minutes plus stoppage time to go.
Kluivert bends a free kick just over the bar
Bournemouth have had the better of it in the second half so far. They’re growing in confidence and there have been a few nervous clearances from Arsenal. The home fans are trying to rally their team. Sleepy is the best word to sum Arsenal up in this second half.
Justin Kluivert smashes wide
Bournemouth have nothing to lose and they’re going for it. Kluivert smashes a shot wide and Arsenal’s fans are growing a little anxious here.
Good stop from Raya as Bournemouth are having a real go now
Big stop from David Raya to deny Dominic Solanke from a tight angle. That came after Arsenal wanted a free kick for a foul on Odegaard. Bournemouth are pressing really well and winning the ball back in midfield. Partey has had a tough start to the second half and Arsenal’s fans are calling for them to wake up.
Back underway and it should be 2-0
Havertz wins the ball back on the edge of the box and slots in Saka who is unmarked and 12 yards out... but he clips his tame effort straight at Travers. Huge chance wasted for the Gunners and Bournemouth are starting to create a few attacks of their own now. Havertz wriggles free and his low shot is pushed out by Travers. The shot count is now 18 for Arsenal.
Half time: Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth
They eventually broke through after a dominant first half display and that Saka penalty kick right on half time will just settled Arsenal down. Bournemouth showed absolutely nothing from an attacking point of view but surely the Cherries will throw some caution to the wind in the second half. So far, so good for Arsenal. As it stands they’re four points clear at the top of the table but Man City have played two games more.
Saka slots home a controversial penalty as Arsenal get their goal - Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth (45th minute)
Bukayo Saka slots home the penalty kick. Right on half time Arsenal get the lead their pressure deserves. Not sure that was a penalty kick but once it was given, very hard to overturn it.
Penalty to Arsenal!
Havertz gets to the ball before Travers and drags his right foot to make sure there is contact. Penalty is given on the pitch but VAR is having a good look. That is harsh on Travers but VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.
Declan Rice should make it 1-0
A ball is clipped in to the back post by Odegaard and Havertz nods down to Rice. He surely has to score but he’s stretching and slices his shot wide. Rice will be very disappointed with that finish.
A few nervy moments from Gabriel
Gabriel hacks a ball high and out of play under no real pressure and after his mistake to almost let in Solanke earlier, the Arsenal fans are feeding off the nervous energy which seems to be present with Gabriel.
Partey the next to be denied by Travers
Arsenal have had 13 shots inside the first 27 minutes. They have been relentless but Mark Travers is everywhere in goal for Bournemouth. This time he pushes Partey’s low curler out and Bournemouth clear.
So close for the Gunners! Twice
After another fine Saka corner, Tomiyasu heads towards goal at the back post but somehow Bournemouth block and clear. Tomiyasu should score there. Then a free kick is nodded down but Partey hammers his shot over.
Mistake from Gabriel but Saliba saves the day, then almost scores
A poor giveaway from Gabriel allows Solanke to get in but William Saliba is there to clear the danger as the last man. Moments later Saliba charges forward at the other end but is denied. Mark Travers is making saves all over the place.
Ryan Christie catches Saka, then Havertz denied
That is a nasty one on Saka. Christie catches Saka on the shin with his studs. Saka is down getting treatment but will carry on. Christie is perhaps lucky VAR didn’t get involved there. When play restarts a ball over the top finds
Trossard denied from close range
Excellent play again down the right from Arsenal and Saka cuts it back to Trossard who looks certain to score but his shot is blocked by a Bournemouth defender.
Bright start from the hosts!
Brilliant football from Arsenal to create a chance for Saka but Bournemouth block. Odegaard finds the overlapping White who plays it in to Saka but he can’t get his shot away quick enough. Lots of possession in the Bournemouth half for Arsenal early on. Ben White is also having his name sung every time Arsenal have a corner due to his ‘antics’ before the corners are swung in. Hero status.
Hello and welcome to the beautiful sunshine here in north London! Arsenal are red-hot favorites against Bournemouth today but Andoni Iraola’s side are extremely dangerous with Solanke, Semenyo and Kluivert in attack. As for Mikel Arteta’s side, he names the same lineup which beat Tottenham last weekend. That is the smart play from Arsenal who are looking so solid. If they win they put the pressure on Manchester City, who will be four points behind them but Pep Guardiola’s side have two games in hand. The title race is front and center on this sunny Saturday in England.
😍☀️🏟️The walk to Arsenal on a sunny day in north London. Does it get much better than this?
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) May 4, 2024
Huge day in the title race for the Gunners. Arsenal vs Bournemouth - WATCH LIVE + analysis, videos & much more ➡️ https://t.co/KpESj1Vohi#AFC #AFCB #ARSBOU pic.twitter.com/dGCAqZGnzF
Arsenal lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Bournemouth lineup
Travers; Smith, Zabaryni, Senesi, Ouattara; Scott, Cook; Semenyo, Christie, Kluivert; Solanke
Arsenal focus, team news
The only injury issue Arsenal have is Jurrien Timber but the versatile Dutch defender is nearly back after playing for the U21 side following his torn ACL on the opening weekend of the season way back in August 2023. The main selection dilemma Arteta has is whether to start Jorginho or Partey in midfield, while the back four pretty much picks itself but Zinchenko or Kiwior could come in at left back for Tomiyasu. Is this the kind of game where Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli will also get a start?
QUESTIONABLE: Jurrien Timber (knee)
Bournemouth focus, team news
The Cherries have had big absentees to navigate all season long and USMNT captain Tyler Adams has spent most of the last month on the sidelines due to a back issue. Antoine Semenyo is also out with a knee injury, which is a big blow, but the likes of Justin Kluivert and Dominic Solanke have stepped up all season and provide a huge threat in attack as this Bournemouth side make the most of any mistakes and are ruthless on the counter.
OUT: Milos Kerkez (suspension), Luis Sinisterra (thigh), Chris Mepham (illness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Antoine Semenyo (knee), Tyler Adams (back)
