In Matchweek 8, Bournemouth capitalized on Arsenal’s early misfortunes to secure a stunning 2-0 win at home. The Gunners were left to rue a crucial red card in the first half, which saw them struggle to assert control for the remainder of the match.

Momentum and Key Stats

The momentum graph highlights how Bournemouth grew into the game, with their second-half dominance culminating in two quick-fire goals that sealed the game. Arsenal’s attempts to chase the game in the final moments fell short, as Bournemouth’s defense stood firm.

Key stats show that Bournemouth were far more effective in the final third, taking 11 shots, with 4 on target, compared to Arsenal’s 5 shots and just 1 on target. Bournemouth’s ability to get into the box (20 touches) compared to Arsenal’s 11 touches further emphasizes their attacking intent, while the Gunners struggled to create any real threat.

Shots Analysis

The shot maps tell a clear story of Bournemouth’s clinical finishing. Despite only creating an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.61, they made their chances count with two goals, one each from Ryan Christie (70’) and Justin Kluivert (79’), the latter’s goal being the most dangerous chance of the game with an xG of 0.76.

On the other hand, Arsenal, being down one player for most of the match, lacked cutting edge in front of goal. They only managed 5 shots in the entire match, with a paltry xG of 0.56, and none of their efforts found the back of the net. The shot maps highlight how Arsenal couldn’t muster many dangerous opportunities, while Bournemouth took advantage of every moment.

Possession

In terms of possession, Arsenal dominated the ball, having 54% of the possession compared to Bournemouth’s 46%, but their pass map shows that much of it was in their own half, with little penetration into dangerous areas.

Bournemouth’s pass map, by contrast, highlights their directness and ability to move the ball swiftly into attacking areas, with their wide players, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo, providing key outlets.