Arsenal cemented top spot in the Premier League after defeating Bournemouth 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.
Premier League
Result: Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth
Date: 04 May 2024
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Gunners coach Mikel Arteta named the same starting line-up from the win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend while Bournemouth have recalled Illia Zabarnyi and Ryan Christie.
The home side dominated from the onset while the Cherries were sat back with 11 men behind the ball, hoping to catch their opposition on the break with Dominic Solanke.
The Gunners were practically camped in the Bournemouth half in the opening 20 minutes, but the visitors had goalkeeper Mark Travers to thank for pulling off a few saves in that period.
The hosts nearly broke Bournemouth's resolve after 37 minutes when Kai Havertz' knockdown found an un-marked Declan Rice, who sent his volley inches wide of the upright from eight yards.
However, Arsenal were awarded a penalty just before the break when Havertz was deemed to have been brought down by Travers. Bukayo Saka stepped up calmly converted for the spot-kick for the opening goal.
Bournemouth nearly got the equaliser seven minutes after the break when Dominic Solanke was played in down the left side of the box, but he was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper David Raya.
The visitors were made to rue that miss in the 70th minute when Rice broke into the box and did well to tee up Leandro Trossard, who slotted home with a first-time finish from eight yards.
The Cherries though they had pulled a goal back five minutes later when Antoine Semenyo rifled home from close range, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up in the 18 yard area.
Nevertheless, the Gunners had a goal ruled out themselves after Gabriel's powerful volley was ruled out by an offside by Havertz but managed to grab a third goal in the 96th minute via Rice's composed finish from close range.
Arteta's men will travel to Old Trafford next weekend to take on Manchester United before they end their season against Everton at home.
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