Arsenal vs Bournemouth player ratings: Kolasinac for the win

Arsenal and Bournemouth both needed full points, and they put in a thrilling one at the Vitality. Here are the player ratings.

Arsenal came out slow in this one, despite the obvious need for full points to keep tight with the top four. It wasn’t as bad as Wolverhampton, but with Lacazette and Ozil out, there was a clear lack of impetus in the attack, with weight completely draped on the defense.

Thankfully, the defense proved up to the task. Sokratis was a masterful defender back there, and with wingbacks providing then width, the threat began to develop as the Gunners broke out from under the thick blanket of pressure that the Cherries were providing.

The first goal came by a stroke of luck. Kolasinac played in another ball from wide and it was rocketed home for an own goal by Lerma. It looked like the first lead the Gunners would be taking into half but a quick counter-attack by Bournemouth in the last minute leveled the match.

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The second half was, thankfully, all Arsenal, as they were able to dominate play all the way to the final whistle. An unmissable chance fell to Aubameyang via Kolasinac and Iwobi and that proved the difference maker in a match that lived up to the billing.

Here are the player ratings.

Goalkeeper