Arsenal’s toothless display vs Bournemouth hits embarrassing new low

Saturday was only Arsenal's fourth Premier League defeat of the season, so why did it feel so damaging? Well, the Gunners were comprehensively beaten by Bournemouth, with Viktor Gyökeres equalising from the penalty spot on the cusp of half time, only for Alex Scott to snatch victory for the Cherries late on, and deservedly so. The home side rarely looked like scoring, racking up a miserly open-play xG of just 0.19, which is the club's second-lowest tally since such records began.

The only game lower was the 4-1 annihilation at the hands of Manchester City in 2023. So, how does that 0.19 figure compare to other Premier League matches this season?

Arsenal's lowest open-play xG in Premier League games 2025/26

Note: Statistics courtesy of Statmuse & SofaScore.

Saturday was the tenth time in 32 Premier League games that Arsenal have failed to accumulate at least one when it comes to open-play xG. They have failed to win five of these matches, while their set-piece proficiency as well as some help from own goals have got them over the line in the others.

While he has not been at his best for some time now, the absence of the injured Martin Ødegaard was a major issue at the weekend. Out of possession, Bournemouth found it simply too easy to plough through Arsenal, as epitomised by the visitors' winner. Similarly, the Gunners repeatedly could not play their way through the middle of the pitch, with a lack of open play creativity the key issue all throughout this campaign. So, how do they compare to the rest of the division?

Premier League clubs ranked by open-play xG 2025/26

Note: Statistics courtesy of Statmuse.

Despite being the second-highest scorers in the Premier League this season, Arsenal rank sixth for open-play xG, with 65% of their total expected goals coming via set-pieces. Unsurprisingly, they sit first when it comes to set-piece xG on 15.91, just above Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Since both William Saliba and Jurriën Timber were on target against Chelsea on 1 March, the Gunners have not scored a single non-penalty set-piece goal which, given how much they are struggling to create from open play, is a major concern. Come the summer, an attacking creative force will surely be very much towards the top of Arteta's wish list.

Before then though, Arsenal are fighting to win both the Premier League and Champions League, with games against Sporting and then Manchester City this week very much decisive in that regard. Will this lack of creativity see them fall short yet again?