Bournemouth faced a tough challenge against Arsenal, coming off a disappointing loss to Leicester before the international break. Historically, the Cherries had struggled against the Gunners, losing their previous four Premier League encounters with an aggregate score of 13-2, including at least three goals conceded in each match. However, their performance on Saturday evening marked a significant turnaround.
William Saliba’s red card shifted the momentum of the match, with the visitors initially in a strong position at the Vitality Stadium as they aimed to secure the top spot in the league. Despite this, signs were already emerging that Andoni Iraola’s team was prepared to take on the challenge.
At this time last year, Bournemouth was without a win after nine league matches, and Iraola’s start was rocky. Nonetheless, he has successfully instilled a hard-working, high-pressing style of play that has transformed the team into a formidable opponent.
The match against Arsenal marks the beginning of a challenging stretch for Bournemouth, which includes upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Brentford before the November international break. According to Opta’s team ratings, this is the toughest schedule of any club, but the Cherries have demonstrated that they are ready to face these difficult tests, now finding themselves in the top half of the league table.