Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth (inc goals)

Bournemouth started the second period in a similar vain to the first and Josh King found himself in behind the Arsenal defence on 48 minutes.

Arsenal are now standing atop the Barclays Premier League, after beating AFC Bournemouth 2-0 at the Emirates Monday evening.

By shutting out Bournemouth, Petr Cech kept his 170th Premier League clean sheet and therby broke David James’ record.

Strong in the tackle and composed on the ball, the Brazilian barely put a foot wrong, and put Arsenal ahead with a bullet header.

Another German in Per Mertesacker should have doubled Arsenal’s tally as he headed the ball wide from point-blank range.

Boruc saved well from Walcott in the 34th minute, with Ozil once again the provider as the panic caused by the former Real Madrid man’s set-pieces spread to Bournemouth’s general play.

Bournemouth looked to be growing in confidence before Ozil turned from provider to goalscorer with 63 minutes played.

Ozil passed to Olivier Giroud, and the Frenchman, with his back to goal, provided a cute flick for Ozil to casually slot home.

At centre-half though, the manager has had three strong defenders available pretty much all season, and it’s been Gabriel who’s largely had to make way.

The home side began to grow into the game and Oxlade-Chamberlain, who looked lively after being restored to the line-up, made an exciting run down the wing to earn the Gunners a corner.

Meanwhile, substitute Andy Carroll helped West Ham come from behind to snap a run of five consecutive Premier League draws with a 2-1 win over Southampton at Upton Park.