The win allows Arsenal to keep pace with league leaders Chelsea and to not drift out of the title race as Spurs have done.
Arsenal took the lead when Alexis Sanchez intercepted a terrible pass from Bournemouth defender Steve Cook and calmly tucked the ball under the keeper.
Bournemouth responded and had several good chances to equalize, but narrowly missed them all. However, referee Mike Jones gifted them an equalizer, ignoring a foul on Ozil and seconds later awarding a penalty for a Monreal challenge on Wilson, who flopped to the ground from a routine shoulder challenge. Wilson converted the penalty and the game took a serious turn.
In the second half Arsenal turned up the heat and eventually were rewarded when Walcott headed home a Monreal cross.
Arsenal had to ride their luck a little as Cech made a fine save off Afobe and Mousset missed a header from close range. Monreal also got away with a handball in the box.
Sanchez scored his second in overtime following a great move involving Giroud and Ozil and the three points were safe.
Player Ratings:
Cech 7: He had little to do as most of Bournemouth’s attempts were off goal. He did make one fine save off Afobe’s kick off a corner.
Debuchy 6: Surprise inclusion and he started the game off looking very good. Unfortunately, he did in his hamstring and had to leave midway through the first half.
Mustafi 6: He looked a little vulnerable at times in the first half and he made a few poor passes. However, he had a strong second half.
Koscielny 7: As always a rock at the back. He mops up the messes that others cannot.
Monreal 7: Was skinned early on by King, but played solid defensively for the remainder of the match. Unjustly penalized for a “foul” on Wilson. He was lucky to avoid a penalty for a handball in the second half. He made a nice assist on Walcott’s goal.
Xhaka 6: He had a steady performance, replete with one wonderful through ball in the second half.
Elneny 6: Was also tidy in the middle. Worked hard and had a good shot on goal in the first half which was charged down by Ake.
Ozil 7: He had a fine match and was often combining with Alexis to good effect. He had an early shot saved by the goalkeeper, another shot deflected by Ake, and several near chances in the second half. He tended to drift out on the wings and was more involved in the attack than he has been in recent matches.
Walcott 7: Scored with a fine header off Monreal’s cross. Looked dangerous at times and he played with energy. That said, some of his crossing and shooting were off at times.
Sanchez 8: Man of the match. He plays with more energy than everyone else and he was at the centre of so much in the game. Not everything he did was good, in fact he was often frustrating to watch as he made some poor crosses or passes, or didn’t make a pass at all. Yet defences have to take him into account. Just before half-time he smashed a shot against the crossbar. Both of his goals were easy ones, but they were the kinds predators get, always aware of opportunities and being in the right place. He also had a good shout for a penalty in the first half.
Oxlade-Chamberlain 6: A chance for the Ox to shine and his pace put pressure on the defence and drew a yellow card. He had several good moments, but he also had several ghastly moments featuring several poor crosses, passes and shots.
Substitutes:
Gabriel 7: He had one of his best games ever as a Gunner and I was quite impressed with his performance as my expectations were low. He looked pretty good attacking as well.
Giroud 6: He had a couple of half chances to score, but his major contribution was his assist on the final goal.
Ramsey 6: He also had a couple of half chances once he came on. He was playing in his preferred role in the middle.