Two first-half goals within two minutes helped Arsenal to overcome Bournemouth and lift them up at league table. At third place, they are level on points with second-placed Tottenham. Mesut Ozil opened the scoring in the 23rd-minute with a shot from 12 yards, and after that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put the second in the next minute from the right side with a low shot. Bournemouth organised the ball well and had more efforts at goal, but their ending was poor. Matt Ritchie was the most unsuccessful person, with none of his five shots on target.
Arsenal have a record of not losing a Premier League game in which they had a lead of two goals by the end of first-half since November 2010 (at home to Tottenham) and they also kept their record in this game. The relief was obvious for Gunners who had not won a league game since 3 January. They managed the game very well in the beginning before taking a hold on Bournemouth with two rapid strikes which delivered the competition a formality. Ozil set the Arsenal on their way with an effective shot after Olivier Giroud had headed Aaron Ramsey’s lengthy successfully pass into the German’s legs.
And Arsene Wenger’s pre-match assertion that Oxlade-Chamberlain was in form and would offer good balance on the right proved prophetic when the winger came inside and his low shot went in via the far post. Again, Ramsey had a hand in the goal – the Welshman pulling the strings for the Gunners and giving Bournemouth a lesson in turning some eye-catching moves into ruthless attacks.
Arsene Wenger said Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday sets up a “must-win” game against Leicester next weekend. The Gunners had not won any of their previous four Premier League fixtures and had slipped eight points behind the league leaders before kick-off on Sunday, a gap they reduced to five points with victory on the south coast. After the game, Wenger spoke about the title race and reserved special praise for Germany playmaker Ozil.
Information took from Bournemouth 0-2 Arsenal – BBC Sport
