Bournemouth attacked Arsenal with a formation that was a bit different from usual. We have seen the three at the back, but to play Ryan Fraser and Jordan Ibe to the sides of Callum Wilson was a bit of genius thinking that saw Bournemouth get the bast out of Ibe and Fraser.
For once Callum Wilson didn't looked as isolated as he might against a big team like Arsenal. He had his hands full with the challenges he was getting from Arsenal's central defenders, but he was prepared to battle hard to win possession and bring others into play. The energy of Ibe in particular was great to see as he was prepared to attack on either side and it is becoming clear that Ibe is a player that is perhaps best when he is not boxed into one area of the pitch, but is allowed to create and pick up possession in more central positions. It only works if he doesn't give the ball away cheaply, but both he and Fraser worked hard when Arsenal did have the ball and the press was superbly employed form the front to unnerve Arsenal on several occasions.
It was this hustling of Arsenal's back line that got Bournemouth playing better. The game seems so much more easy when you are winning back possession quickly and the speed at which Arsenal defenders found themselves pressured on the ball was not something that Wengerl's players found easy to deal with.
It was noticeable that Bournemouth attacked very much up the wings and not through the middle of the pitch in the first half, and it must have been a plan that width was the best way to get at Arsenal. This formation made the most of that and it did help get the result in the second half.
Cherry Chimes' AskFans report on AFCB 2 v 1 Arsenal
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| Jordan Ibe after the win against Arsenal. |
It was this hustling of Arsenal's back line that got Bournemouth playing better. The game seems so much more easy when you are winning back possession quickly and the speed at which Arsenal defenders found themselves pressured on the ball was not something that Wengerl's players found easy to deal with.
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Whether this system is one that we see used again may depend on the personnel. What works for Ibe, Fraser and Wilson might not be so good for Stanislas and King and yet there is much for Howe to consider about this kind of three-pronged attack. What also helped was the play of Adam Smith who might well have run the most on the day, but his quick passes and movement were great for unlocking players and letting Bournemouth run at defenders.
It was noticeable that Bournemouth attacked very much up the wings and not through the middle of the pitch in the first half, and it must have been a plan that width was the best way to get at Arsenal. This formation made the most of that and it did help get the result in the second half.
Cherry Chimes' AskFans report on AFCB 2 v 1 Arsenal
I will be interested to see the formation on Saturday. The team on the field when they scored the goals should be the lineup - maybe King for Mousset if he is heathy. However, the team controlled West Ham using the 4-4-1-1- for most of the game at least - and had 10 shots on target. With how the last game ended I bet we see a sending off on Saturday - hopefully a West Ham player. Getting a win in London would be a massive result, but far from and easy one.
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