by Bulldog Drummond.
So here we are approaching the game while by now Tony should be somewhere in the Atlantic. Or to be more precise on an island somewhere in the Atlantic.
The media appear to be certain Arsenal have blown it simply because of the less than exciting game against Wolverhampton who looked like they had stolen the old Blackburn away match menu. One prediction on the BBC web site gives Bournemouth the victory by 2-1.
Certainly the one seems likely at the very least because there has never been a game between the two in which Arsenal have not scored. And the one thing one might say in favour of the 2-1 is that the average total number of goals scored in the games between these two sides is 3.3. Remember we went for 1-2 to Arsenal.
And this because Bournemouth have lost successive games for the first time in a while – although they did this twice last season – in fact the run in December last year was four defeats in a row.
However here is a little thing that really could help Arsenal with their desire to score almost all of their goals in the second half. Over half of the league goals conceded by Bournemouth have been scored in the final 20 minutes – which is exactly the time that Arsenal like to score.
But supposing we draw. That will be four league draws in a row. When was the last time that happened?
That’s a good question because in 2008/9 the results were really remarkable. These games are Premier League matches only from mid-December through to the end of February.
| Date | Game | Res | Score |
| 13 Dec 2008 | Middlesbrough v Arsenal | D | 1-1 |
| 21 Dec 2008 | Arsenal v Liverpool | D | 1-1 |
| 26 Dec 2008 | Aston Villa v Arsenal | D | 2-2 |
| 28 Dec 2008 | Arsenal v Portsmouth | W | 1-0 |
| 10 Jan 2009 | Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers | W | 1-0 |
| 17 Jan 2009 | Hull City v Arsenal | W | 1-3 |
| 28 Jan 2009 | Everton v Arsenal | D | 1-1 |
| 31 Jan 2009 | Arsenal v West Ham United | D | 0-0 |
| 08 Feb 2009 | Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal | D | 0-0 |
| 21 Feb 2009 | Arsenal v Sunderland | D | 0-0 |
| 28 Feb 2009 | Arsenal v Fulham | D | 0-0 |
Three draws in a row, three wins, and then five draws in a row. We ended up 4th with 12 draws in the season. And despite all those goalless games we scored 68 goals – exactly the same as the champions for that season, Manchester United.
The boring bits are that Arsenal and Cardiff City are the only two clubs not to have led at half time. The more interesting news is that we have scored two or more goals in each of the last five away league fixtures.
Oh yes and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 13 of his 17 Arsenal goals in Sunday fixtures. But then we are playing in the Europa so that increases the Sunday game total.
unai knows best, obviously, but a little bit of guessing game has never hurt anyone, so …
i often wonder why the “3-at-the-back” lineup was given up altogether, in spite of the terrific run which ended up with our latest fa cup victory, against conte’s chelsea
so, i’d like to see something like:
leno
sokratis-mustafi-holding
bellerin-torreira-xhaka-mniles
özil
lacazette-aubameyang
as you said, bulldog, we shall see
enjoy the game – and at least, bournemouth are always a pleasant side to watch (hats off to howe’s terrific work)
A note from the publisher:
Arrived in Fuerteventura yesterday, out and about this morning and found a bar showing the match straight off – first bar I walked into. Got a very strange look walking in while they were still clearing up from last night, but all sorted. Easier than this time last year in Cyprus when I spent almost two hours wandering from bar to bar trying to find someone showing the game.
Tony
Our Women are also in action today – they kick off at 12:30 against Brighton
Team
Sari van Veenendaal
Lisa Evans, Louise Quinn, Leah Williamson, Emma Mitchell
Dominique Bloodworth, Lia Walti, Danielle van de Donk
Katie McCabe, Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead
Subs Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and the three youngsters. Ava Kuyken, Ruby Grant and Paige Bailey-Gayle
COYWG
looks like we miss Nacho a lot. He is a good attacking threat and puts in a decent cross or two. Hopefully we get him back at his best after his injury heals!
From us Gooners point of understanding, Arsenal have no business doing whatsoever with not beating Bournemouth this afternoon in the PL but have every business doing with beating them if us Gooners are not going to be left saddened with disappointments after the match should Arsenal come away with only a point in the match but all the 3 points instead at the end of it making us happy and contented and relieved from the pressure of seeing them playing to 3 draw games in a row in the PL.
We know Bournemouth have shown they are no push over in the PL so far this season and it is true. But even then the Gunners should show them and prove to them in the game today that they possess the capacity in PL game playing above the PL game capacity that Bournemouth have to beat them and beat them accordingly.
Mustafi: Has had the highest number of clearances and interceptions for Arsenal this season. Not bad from a useless player…
live match report is on line