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

Negative #2: Arsenal's football is dull as dishwater

No Odegaard and no Saka will probably give Arsenal a free pass in the eyes of many, but a pedestrian brand of football is becoming a growing trend for Mikel Arteta's team. The Gunners are more physical and resilient on Arteta's watch. A tougher nut to crack, but do they have to be so boring?

Where's the pace and incisiveness in their movement? The flair and daring in their passing? What's with all the waiting and where's the hurry-up?

Build-up play is too careful, too long to get going. Hipster fans will call it measured and mature. The rest of us will be warmed by thoughts of comforters and Nytol.

Arsenal's problem is a regime that's leaned too far into physicality and gamesmanship. It's why a squad priced in the hundreds of millions is bereft of creativity without Odegaard.

The latter's special, but one player shouldn't make this much of a difference to a team with Arsenal's lofty aspirations and loftier press coverage.

Positive #2: Gabriel Martinelli's exciting cameo

"Exciting" might be a stretch, but Gabriel Martinelli did at least inject some verve into Arsenal's previously lifeless display when he entered the game in the 64th minute. A disappointing Trossard made way and left room for Martinelli to continue his recent resurgence.

Direct pace, clever darts along the forward line, to go with some nifty passes, showed Martinelli is close to rediscovering his mojo. He's not all the way back just yet, evidenced by a shot from close range being fired straight against Kepa Arrizabalaga.

A confident Martinelli takes that chance with the minimum of fuss. Getting his finishing game back to those levels should be a priority for a team lacking enough nerve and inspiration in the final third, even when Saka and Odegaard are available.

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