With Arsenal playing before Manchester City this weekend, they had a perfect chance to open up a healthier lead at the top of the table.
That message perhaps didn’t translate to Gabriel Magalhaes, whose calamitous pass across the edge of his own area was intercepted by Evanilson, allowing him to simply stroke the ball into an empty net.
However, redemption was just around the corner, as Gbariel was on hand at the far post to slam into the roof of the net after Gabriel Martinelli’s initial effort was blocked on the line.
After the goal, it might have been assumed that Arsenal would start to exert their dominance, but it was Bournemouth who were doing most of the legwork.
Justin Kluivert’s 30-yard free-kick whistled just wide of the target, but there were consistent efforts from the likes of Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier raining in on David Raya’s goal.
The Gunners were uncharacteristically poor in front of goal in the first half, offering precious little after getting back on level terms as they showed signs of fatigue amidst a busy festive period.
Even with their lack of prowess in the first half, it always felt inevitable that Mikel Arteta’s men would hit their stride eventually, and it didn’t take them long to assert themselves in the second half.
Arsenal didn’t even need 10 minutes to get themselves ahead for the first time on the evening, as a swift move culminated in Martin Odegaard teeing up Declan Rice to sweep home from the edge of the area.
A triple Arsenal substitution just over 20 minutes from time paid immediate dividends, as one of those changes, Bukayo Saka, burst in behind and cut back for Rice to tuck home his second of the evening.
Not to be outdone, one of Andoni Iraola’s changes paid off immediately too, as Eli Junior Kroupi hammered home from the edge of the area to halve the arrears heading into the closing stages.
The Cherries did push and probe in the closing stages, but they were unable to break down a dogged Arsenal side, who were incentivised by knowing a victory would open up a provisional six-point cushion at the Premier League summit.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s winless run now stands at 11 matches as their alarming slide down the table continues.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
