3 positives & negatives from Arsenal’s incredible Bournemouth comeback win

Positive #2: Team spirit

Many rival fans and pundits alike have questioned whether Arsenal’s young squad have the minerals needed to mentally cope with a title challenge this early in their careers. However, as they have done several times already this season, the players showed that they do.

With Manchester City already securing three points in the early kick-off, the pressure was on the players to deliver, and after going a goal down so quickly, it would have been easy for the team to let the occasion get the better of them, especially when the second goal went in. But that couldn’t have been further from what happened.

Every single player stood up to be counted and demonstrated that they don’t just have the footballing ability to win the Premier League, but the mental toughness needed to do so as well. It was telling that when White scored the equaliser, the players raced back to the halfway line as quickly as possible, with the focus immediately switching to grabbing the winner rather than being happy with the draw.

Negative #2: Takehiro Tomiyasu

It seems harsh to single the 24-year-old out, but he struggled to have any impact in the attacking third of the pitch and it wasn’t his best defensive display either. On the back of multiple poor performances this season, his form is starting to become very concerning.

Of course, he is no longer the first-choice option in his position, and therefore, has played a bit-part role this campaign, particularly in the Premier League. Understandably, that has made it far more difficult for him to build any kind of form, but he must do more when given the opportunity.

White can’t play every game, and if we are to continue to push for the Premier League title, as well as pursue the UEFA Europa League alongside it, then the squad needs Tomiyasu to return to the levels he showed he was capable of reaching last season.

Continued on the next slide…