Iwobi Dropped As Sanchez Seals Arsenal Win Over Bournemouth

But Callum Wilson equalised with a penalty after referee Mike Jones judged the striker was fouled by Nacho Monreal and, against a rattled home side, Bournemouth missed two good chances when an unmarked Adam Smith headed over before Brad Smith had an angled shot saved.

The 31-year-old, who has endured a long-running battle for fitness in recent seasons, was replaced by Gabriel after just 16 minutes of the Premier League tie having pulled a hamstring.

“My view is that we should have had a penalty on Sanchez”. Arsenal found a third in the closing stages after Alexis Sanchez finished off a fast, sumptuous attack which flowed with incredible ease past the Bournemouth defence. “[It was] shoulder to shoulder, and I was really amazed that he gives a penalty”.

Bournemouth were finishing strongly and it took a fine save from Cech to deny Benik Afobe, but Sanchez eased Arsenal’s nerves in the 90th minute when he tapped in from Giroud’s cross.

Arsenal went into the home game against AFC Bournemouth on the back of two unconvincing draws with less than satisfying performances in both the games.

The penalty award to Bournemouth was arguably the right call but it could have been waved away like the move which saw Sanchez hit the deck on the edge of the penalty area earlier in the half.

“It didn’t spring to my mind but I’m only going off my first look”, Howe said.

The Chilean global will see his current deal expire at the end of next season, and so Arsenal are under growing pressure to agree on new terms before other clubs have an opportunity to discuss their own contract offer with him.

He added: “Bournemouth was not the team I would have chosen to play after the Champions League match we had in midweek”. It was easy then to go under, but we didn’t.

He may have said the media will be happy if he does, but Arsenal fans will be popping the champagne if and when confirmation of their contract extensions comes in.

Unbeaten since their opening day defeat to Liverpool, Arsene Wenger’s men are once again genuine title contenders as we near December.

Theo Walcott put Arsenal back in front in the 53rd minute before Sanchez sealed the win in added time. It was the visitor, rather than Wenger’s team, playing inventive, flowing football. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs but hopefully this game can just make sure we’re back to the level we want to be at”.

Wenger’s side had fallen six points behind leaders Chelsea after drawing three of their last four league games and they were in danger of another damaging setback at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

It also highlighted the importance of Sanchez, who scored the first goal when he pounced on a poor backpass from Cook.

After a week in which Arsene Wenger insisted there was “no reason to panic”, there were brief moments where his Arsenal side looked close to meltdown on Sunday. “He has that “gut” conditioning that when the ball comes to him again, he finds always that extra gear to be risky”.

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