What went wrong?

It was back to hostilities in the league after the international break, which seems to be taking it's toll on clubs.

It was a shock 2-nil loss for the Gunners of Arsenal at Bournemouth's Vitality stadium, who played with a man less– William Saliba saw red in the first half.

Popular Theories surrounding the loss:

1. Fatigue from the international break: This is a good point. Manchester City players started slowly on Sunday for same reason. Clubs like Bournemouth don't have as many players actively involved in their countries. So yeah it's a good point, yet I must say, not good enough.

2. The absence of Saka: Sterling acquitted himself with the role quite nicely, especially in the attacking phase. Not good enough a point.

3. A certain general lack of energy by the team: Well I think it's partly due to number one above and some things I will mention later.

4. Loss of Saliba to the red-card: There was a way around this that wasn't utilised.

I want to go away from these popular reasons or maybe my thoughts on this could be said to be actually a subtle combination of a few of those popular reasons above.

REASONS FOR THE LOSS:

1】 UNNECESSARY FEAR:

Now for all that has been said about the general lul in Arsenal's play that fateful Saturday, it can not be denied that Thomas Partey was in the mood that day, thesame can be said of Mikel Merino. Now that's two out of the three midfield players full of energy, full of running and invention. That's blessing! Even the third man, Declan Rice, wasn't bad.

But what did we keep seeing in that first half. Partey will often fall back, as expected, once the defenders have the ball and free himself to receive a pass from them but severally(esp the captain), they kept refusing to give him or Merino the ball.

The bigger picture is that Bournemouth decided to play a very high press on Arsenal. Ofcourse the idea is to unsettle their build-up play, cut-out the passing lanes and so on.

This should be expected by an Arsenal or a Manchester City because that's one key way to counter the brand of football both clubs play.

What did we see on Saturday? The centre-backs often kept shifting the ball side-ways or kicking it long, due to the heavy Bournemouth pressing, in other to utilise the wings(especially the left). Like I said, they do this even when Partey is free vertically opposite the centre-back.

How was the first goal scored? A winger– Trossard – was not comfortable holding unto the ball in a crowded area that a defender– Calafiori– played to him and he played the ball back to Saliba(the last man at the back), howbeit he hit it too hard and too high that the ball went past Saliba and a Bournemouth player became through on goal with Saliba unfortunately fouling him for the red-card. Arsenal’s play became too predictable whereas they could easily beat the press by going through the middle.

2] ARSENAL NEEDS A STRIKER:

I have spoken about the disadvantages of Harvetz months back here. One of the reasons he was bought is to give Arsenal an advantage in the air, because of his height. He is supposed to give Arsenal the option of using long balls to beat stubborn pressing, but the truth is that he hasn't got the physicality to achieve this in the EPL, maybe he can do that well in Spain, not in the EPL. With a man down, this disadvantage with Harvetz became amplified.

3] NEGATIVE SUBSTITUTION:

Once the red card came about, Sterling was sacrificed because Arteta felt the need to bring in a specialist defender.

But who did you leave on the pitch? Harvetz. You leave Harvetz on the pitch at a time that the forward line has been depleted? Who does that?

It's not like Harvetz is a Victor Osimhen who has great physicality and will win second balls. Even English captain Harry Kane is far better than Harvetz in physicality, in hassling and hustling to win the ball.

Secondly Sterling was a highest threat to that defence before he was hauled off– it seemed they were in awe of him.

Saliba wasn't given the card 10mins or 20 mins into the game, the card came 30 mins into the game, so just 15 mins left. What's wrong with Rice stepping into Saliba's role and seeing out the remaining half? It's not as if it's such a gamble, Rice has played there before with aplomb even in West Ham. So what's the panic about?

Or what's wrong with a Ben White coming to his natural role as a right centre-back and Partey moving to right-back till half-time(Partey has played there before). What was the panic for? What was the unnecessary caution for?
Or what say ye bro @

So that's it @sperosamuel15 .

These are the real matters I think, that derailed Arsenal in that game.
Or what say ye @belemo ?

Well the Champions league opponent should be wary of an angry Gunners that will appear with vengeance.

THIS IS ARSENAL

Thanks for reading.

Cheers