Small margins are costing AFCB

Eddie Howe spoke of small margins costing the Cherries against Arsenal. There was not a lot in the game, but it was Arsenal that found the cutting-edge to win the game. The second Arsenal goal was perhaps the one that was most preventable, but the clever movement of Arsenal opened the space up for Iwobi and a who played Aubameyang in for the winner.

AFCB were out thought with a quickly taken free kick.

On another day, Bournemouth might have held out for a draw or even a win. The thickness of a post and the disallowed goal for David Brooks hurt the Cherries. While Eddie Howe commented it was the luck that just didn't fall for AFCB, there has to be a bit of annoyance knowing that Brooks' goal would have stood if VAR has been available.

The thing that Howe can take out of playing Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal is that only Chelsea have won by more than a goal against AFCB, and Bournemouth have scored in two of the three matches against these top six sides. The gap is perhaps closer, even if Bournemouth have had wins against such teams in the past, when they have snatched wins, despite having to defend for large parts of those games.

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Losing to Arsenal by a single goal is no bad performance. Bournemouth have to try and take the positives from these defeats into their game against Man City, which will be the ultimate test. If the luck suddenly returns for the next match, Howe won't be complaining.