Arsenal moved up to third place after defeating Bournemouth 1-0 in an underwhelming day at The Emirates.
Arsenal replaced Torreira with Ceballos from the draw at Old Trafford and Mesut Ozil was not even on the bench with Bournemouth at home deemed too much of a strain for Ozil’s unique talents. The Cherries again left Fraser on the bench and perhaps the lack of creativity on display was no surprise.
Aubameyang went close early on with a swerving driven effort past the post, although Arsenal went ahead on fifteen minutes as Pepe’s corner was intelligently glanced in by David Luiz for his first Arsenal goal.
Solanke might have done better with a header as the first half came and went without much incident.
In truth, the second half barely improved. Chambers did well to turn a Callum Wilson cross off the line and Leno tipped a Stacey effort over. Aubameyang hit the post late on but the game between two good attacks and suspect defences never really got going on a forgettable afternoon.
Bournemouth stay in tenth but will fancy their chances of moving up with Norwich and Watford to follow. Arsenal are up to third and face Sheffield United next.
Out of context third
Arsenal’s win takes them into third place one point behind Manchester City who will likely go on to challenge for the title and the Champions League trophy. It also leaves them a point ahead of Crystal Palace.
Like their performances, it is hard to judge how realistic that position is. Arsenal are yet to play well once this season and have now won four games by one goal against Newcastle, Aston Villa, Burnley and Bournemouth whilst drawing against Spurs, Watford and Manchester United. Emery’s solitary defeat is against Liverpool at Anfield and it would be hard to judge him harshly given the points and position.
However the long term likelihood of these performances being good enough to clinch third is slim. The lack of intensity and creativity in midfield looks a problem. What is undeniable though is that Arsenal’s problems are less of a crisis that Tottenham and Manchester United’s.
Arsenal deserve some credit for fighting their way to third in such bang average circumstances but with Lampard and Leicester on the charge they may worry about the sustainability of current performance level.
Pepe yet to prove his worth
Arsenal’s record signing again flickered intermittently without grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. As against Tottenham and Manchester United, Pepe was involved enough but his end product was lacking.
One curled shot was unlucky not to find the top corner, could have won a penalty if anyone knew how VAR worked and it was his corner that set up the winner. But eight league games into his Arsenal career Pepe looks an underwhelming luxury as opposed to a game-changing superstar.
Chambers the defensive rock?
Calum Chambers has filled in admirably at right-back over the last few weeks but with Hector Bellerin due back soon, could Chambers moving to the centre prove the tonic Arsenal’s soft defence needs? Chambers showed his defensive awareness in knocking a Wilson shot off the line and was undoubtedly man of the match leading the way for touches (91) and second for tackles and shots and was also unlucky not to set up Aubameyang when the striker hit the post.
With Sokratis and Luiz looking erratic, a move of Chambers into the middle of a back five could solidify Arsenal and allow Tierney and Bellerin to play wing-back, which in turn would take the heat off the creatively lacking midfield.
Luiz: captain, leader, liability?
Luiz has endured a rocky start at Arsenal with his Anfield horror show an early nadir. However. Luiz is clearly popular with the players as his early goal caused a full team melee more akin to a World Cup penalty shoot out win.
Luiz has always displayed leadership qualities and perhaps like Ringo Starr in the Beatles, Alan Sugar on the Apprentice or Boris Johnson in the Conservative Party, his mere presence and perceived charisma will paper over the cracks. Especially in a team so bereft of leaders that it requires five captains.
Bournemouth on the verge of the Curbishley-Pulis zone?
What to say about Bournemouth and the mid-table of the Premier League? Eddie Howe’s side sit in tenth with three wins, three losses and two draws. They’ve now scored and conceded 13.
Ryan Fraser was linked to Arsenal whilst Manchester United are again linked with Callum Wilson. If star players leave will the fan base be bored of midtable mediocrity as happened at Charlton and Stoke? Will Howe feel he needs a new challenge – Everton seem an obvious fit – with the Champions League an increasing behemoth and Premier League survival becoming an increasingly desperate survival battle the mid-table of the league could become a wasteland.
The increase of foreign owners, huge TV deals and the need for everything to mean something means mid-table mediocrity will fast become a stick to beat people with. A good cup run is one antidote but will we soon see a time when the league employs an eight-team playoff to decide the Champions akin to the playoffs and Super Bowl in NFL?
This would generate even more revenue and interest in the league and likely mean all 20 teams in contention for longer. It seems a crazy idea but with European Super Leagues on the horizon and the predicted levelling off of TV deals don’t bet against it.
