3 positives & negatives from Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth

Arsenal once again couldn't overcome going down to ten men to take all three points in a Premier League game. Not after William Saliba was sent off after a VAR review at Bournemouth, an advantage the hosts eventually made the most of thanks to substitutes Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert.

Saliba getting his walking papers in the 27th minute represented the third time in eight league games the Gunners have been forced to play a man light. There's an overall problem with discipline, but the more immediate concern is how big mistakes are creeping into Saliba's game, after he endured a torrid time on international duty.

The broader issue with keeping their cool saw goalkeeper David Raya take down Bournemouth's Brazilian striker Evanilson, the same player Saliba couldn't contain, for the penalty Kluivert converted. Even without the mistakes, Arsenal failed to sparkle, producing overly cautious and unimaginative football in the absence of injured conductor Martin Odegaard and crocked wing wizard Bukayo Saka.

This was a performance that's left fans reaching deep for consolation and positives.

3 positives and negatives from Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth

Negative #1: William Saliba's recent erratic form

Yes, it's only two games, and he played one of those for France, but Saliba has endured a tough recent mini run. A brief, but brutal sequence defined by erratic decisions and key errors.

Saliba was hardly helped by Leandro Trossard's ill-advised pass at the Vitality Stadium, but that only partly mitigates the central defender's culpability. Arsenal's main man at the back had also been caught getting too tight to Evanilson, too high up the pitch.

All it took from this moment was an errant pass, a faint flick or a smart turn, and Saliba was in trouble. So it proved when Evanilson started to peel himself loose.

The VAR shenanigans to overturn the original decision of a yellow card may leave a bad taste with Arsenal fans, but Saliba knew what he was doing. Which isn't something you could say about the spot-kick he gave away against Belgium while on tour with Les Bleus.

The last thing Arsenal need is for the rock upon which a solid back four has been built to develop a sudden penchant for more moments of madness. For now, trying to cope without Saliba against a slick Liverpool side next week is a disturbing enough thought.

Positive #1: Mikel Merino comfortable during a tough debut

Mikel Merino could've hoped for an easier opening assignment, but the midfielder did emerge with some credit from this otherwise forgettable day. He wasn't always progressive on the ball or quick making a decision, but Merino did at least look comfortable with the rough and tumble of England's top flight.

La Liga's duel king never ducked the physical side of the game and regularly made his presence known in the air. To his credit, Merino also tried to shape his passes to give teammates an option going forward.

There'll be more to come from the former Real Sociedad man, but Merino showed enough to indicate he can be an asset as the season progresses. Arsenal's greater liability concerns style of play.

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