Arsenal overcome brave Bournemouth

A brace from Alexis Sanchez helped Arsenal overcome a brave Bournemouth performance 3-1 at the Emirates stadium to end a run of three consecutive draws.

Arsene Wenger’s team opened the scoring after some early pressure when a poor back-pass from right-back Steve Cook allowed Alexis Sanchez to tap past the helpless Adam Federici in the 12^th minute.

Bournemouth were deservedly level after referee Mike Jones correctly judged Nacho Monreal to have impeded Callum Wilson after some smart play from the 24-year-old forced the foul, the former Tamworth striker picked himself up and clinically finished past Petr Cech for the Cherries first ever goal over the Gunners.

Arsenal fans would be forgiven if they thought the curse of November was about to strike again, but Theo Walcott popped up in the 53^rd minute for his 8^th goal in 11 appearances after Monreal found him at the back-post, to ease the home supporter’s nerves.

Sanchez wrapped up the points for his side in the 90^th minute after in-form Oliver Giroud found the Chilean at the back-post from an awkward angle to shatter the hopes of the travelling fans.

The hosts started the game on the front-foot and were looking to respond after been criticised following their lacklustre performance at Old Trafford, and they had a penalty appeal correctly turned down after it appeared Sanchez was in-fact impeded outside of the box.

Eddie Howe’s side displayed great courage and optimism after pulling level and they should have taken the lead in the 25^th minute after Nathan Ake’s headed to Adam Smith in space, but the defender failed to work Cech.

Smith had another opportunity minutes later after Callum Wilson’s delicate flick sent him through on goal, only for Cech to beat away the England under-21’s effort away for a corner.

Despite the away side dominating much of the first-half proceedings, Arsenal were centimetres away from retaking the lead just before the half-time whistle when former Barca man Sanchez smashed his effort off the crossbar from an awkward angle.

Former Arsenal man Benik Afobe was denied a goal on his return to the Emirates in the 76^th minute after his shot, from a Simon Francis knock-on, was well met by the ever-present Cech.

Photo (©Getty Images/Shaun Botterill)