Arteta's first game

Changes often don't happen overnight, even when significant measures are put in place for changes to be made. One game is also far too early to fully judge whether such measures are successful or not. However, a few things were apparent to me today:

We played a lot more fluidly and incisively. We were still worlds apart from our vintage times but we were immeasurably better than under most of Emery's tenure.

Xhaka was a different player. His passing was excellent and his composure unflappable. He might be on the way to salvaging his Arsenal career. (Edit - Just seen he's leaving for Berlin...)

Our close-quarters passing and rapid countering were quick and lethal. It was only the end product that was missing.

Leno is a godsend. Our defence has been almost non-existent at times and he has held the fort brilliantly.

Pepe showed a lot of industry when he came on, and he tormented the Bournemouth defence with his trickery.

A few things still annoy me. Torreira is weak and jittery at times, and we failed to test Ramsdale until the hour. This is without mentioning that the goal we conceded came about from us once again trying - and failing - to play out right from the back, which is a practice we need to abandon if we are to stop haemorraging points. But overall a positive performance. Whether it's a change of the overall dynamic is too soon to say.