Is this a great time to play Arsenal?

Don't be fooled by all the tweets of Arsenal in crisis. Their players are likely to be hurting and anxious to rectify their poor form just like AFCB. The only good point about Arsenal's situation from a Bournemouth point of view is that if they do start badly against the Cherries their fans may start to get on their back and only increase the pressure on the Gunners.

Arsenal are not in the greatest of moments right
now with player dissatisfaction and poor form, but can AFCB take advantage?

Word is spreading that Arsenal will be strengthened for the Bournemouth match with the return of some key players for selection - Aaron Ramsey and Alex Awobi. While the two midfielders are two of many string candidates Wenger will have, they will be fresh and not tainted by the pummelling that Liverpool gave Arsenal and Wenger is likely to want to freshen up his side for Bournemouth's visit. Ramsey played in Wales narrow win over Austria at the weekend and he will be buzzing knowing that Wales still have a chance to get to the World Cup.

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The media frenzy over Alexis Sanchez is not going to die down now that he has not moved and people want to know how he will play when he has to put on his Arsenal shirt again. He could sulk but it is more than likely that he will put on a really good performance to get his frustrations out. This doesn't look great from Eddie Hoe's point of view. Sanchez is one of those players who has something extra and there is no easy way to box him in all games.

Arsenal also have Alexandre Lacazette who has already scored for his new club and was a surprise omission from the starting line up for the Liverpool game. But Olivier Giroud has a good record against the Cherries and Arsenal could play two up front against AFCB at home. It appears that Wenger doesn't know his best team or at least is willing to dabble a bit in his selections which may be unsettling for the players, but AFCB have to beat whoever is put in front of them.

As long as AFCB's players are up for the game and are looking forwards to playing Arsenal, I don't think AFCB can worry too much about how Arsenal might be psychologically. Arsenal might be in some distress, but you can say the same for AFCB. This match just may depend on who can cope with being under that pressure the better and playing away from home might add a bit of freedom to AFCB's play.

Possible AFCB team

3-4-1-1 Begovic (GK), S Cook (CD), Aké (CD), Mings (CD), A Smith (RW),
Gosling (CM), Arter (CM), Surman (CM), Daniels (LW), King (CM/FW), Defoe (FW)

Subs
Boruc (GK), Francis (CD), B Smith (LD), Pugh (LW/RW), Fraser (LW/RW), Mousset (FW),
Afobe (FW)

Rival Lines: "I have my doubts we'll see that Alexis again in an Arsenal shirt"

Rival Lines
Match Preview: Arsenal v AFCB
Blogger Interview: The Daily Cannon
Twitter @DailyCannon

With Arsenal fans still trying to figure out what is happening with their team, after last weekend, and whether their manager has done in enough over the summer to improve the side, let alone if Alexis Sanchez will be running on empty, we needed to find some answers. Who best to ask? Well we talked to one of the writers writers at the Daily Cannon for their opinion on Arsenal's summer transfers and start to the season. These are Jamie Einchcombe's thoughts.

CC: What did you make of transfer deadline day for Arsenal - do things look as bad as Ian Wright would suggest?
DC: Deadline day was disappointing. I would have liked to see a midfielder arrive more than anything. However, I don't think things are quite as bad as some make out.

We did sign two good players who improve the squad, and whether by design or accident we kept our best player. We could have done more, but it wasn't a disaster, either.

CC: The newspapers had some scary headlines over the big defeat at Liverpool, like 'an embarrassing shambles', but was the reaction a bit overboard just three games into a new season?

DC: I don't think the reaction was overboard. Talk of a crisis will always sound hollow and cliché, but people are right to be concerned about the manner of the defeat. It's not the first big game Arsenal have lost in such a way and unfortunately it probably won't be the last.

Fortunately, there's plenty of time to get our act together. We've got a talented squad and hopefully once things have calmed down everyone can focus on improving. It wasn't that long ago we were beating City and Chelsea in the FA Cup with the same players, so the team is certainly capable of more than what we're seeing.

CC: Has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the right choice to leave Arsenal now?

I'd say so. It was clear things were getting a bit stale for him at the club. Arsene Wenger wasn't going to play him as a midfielder like he wanted, nor was he progressing under the manager as much as he would have expected.

DC: Alexis Sanchez is going to be disappointed in not getting his move to Man City, but are you pleased you keep him until at least January even if he might go on a free next summer?

I have mixed feelings about Alexis. A fully committed Alexis is one of the best players around and we need him if we want to get anywhere this season. If that meant turning down £60m then so be it.

However, I have doubts we'll see that Alexis again in an Arsenal shirt, and worry about what effect that might have on the team. At the very least, I'm pleased we didn't sell him without signing a replacement.

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CC: Arsenal seem not to worry about selling players to rivals, but is this another failing of their transfer policy?

DC: It's certainly an issue. The club end up forced into that position more times than they should be. Players are being lured by more attractive projects elsewhere and the club isn't doing enough to convince them that this is the place to be.

CC: Who would you like to replace Arsene Wenger when that day eventually comes?

DC: I really like Leonardo Jardim at Monaco. He's proven to be a very adaptable coach, able to change his approach to suit the players he has.

His Monaco side were very defensive when they knocked us out the Champions League in 2015 but last season they were the most prolific team in Europe with some exciting young players. I'd love to see that at Arsenal again.

CC: What player injuries have Arsenal currently got?

DC: There's a doubt over Alexis' ankle, which he damaged on international duty. Alex Iwobi picked up a muscle injury before the Liverpool game and missed Nigeria's game. Santi Cazorla is still out; we don't know when he'll be back.

CC: If Arsenal don't beat Bournemouth would that be a crisis?

DC: Three defeats in a row is awful for Arsenal but never a crisis. However, if Arsenal don't show signs of improvement there'll be plenty to worry about.

CC: How do you expect Arsenal to line up against the Cherries?

DC: I expect Hector Bellerin will return to right back and Sead Kolasinac to come back into the defence. Koscielny will play, but who will partner him is anyone's guess.

Xhaka and Ramsey will probably play in the middle again, with Ozil and Lacazette ahead of them. If Alexis is able to play, Danny Welbeck will likely play.

CC: Well that was a clear insight into how Jamie is feeling about his beloved team going into the match with Bournemouth – a big thanks to him. I can only hope that Sanchez needs more time to reflect on things, as he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the Premier League and Bournemouth could do with him having a rest this weekend. Jamie is right in that Arsenal are packed with star players who have not suddenly forgotten how to play, especially at home.

We could even see Gareth Southgate at this game if he is keen to see Jermain Defoe and Danny Welbeck, as these players are fighting over a place in the England World Cup squad. Defoe needs to get scoring and he'll be disappointed he didn't get a go last week, while Welbeck will want to show he should be in the next England squad.

AFCB can't expect anything less than an Arsenal side that is determined to put their bad results behind them. What I'd like to see though is that AFCB have become a better defensive team and that they can become more resilient against the top sides, like they were against Man City. A clean sheet against Arsenal would be a great day out - UTCIAD!

In other news, Charlie Daniels has signed a three-year extension with AFCB.

Arsenal rob AFCB of all their Christmas presents to draw 3-3

Match Report

AFCB 3 v 3 Arsenal

Attendance 11,202

Some might have thought that it was AFCB that were heading for a top six finish rather than Arsenal after this game. The Cherries came out of the traps with devilish intent to wound Arsenal's away record, and they soon struck the fist blow with Charlie Daniels in acres of space, and he calmly beat the sleeping Bellerin, before putting AFCB 1-0 up. If that was dozy from Arsenal the foul on Ryan Fraser was just stupidity from Xhaka. Arsenal were 2-0 down and looking out of the title race. Ryan Fraser looked to have made it a great win when he put AFCB 3-0 up, and yet goal by goal back came Arsenal with Sanchez heading in, before Perez hit a scintillating volley past Boruc, and just as time was running out Olivier Giroud broke Bournemouth hearts with a late, late equaliser. It was like Santa never came.

Under the lights at Dean Court.

Eddie Howe made three changes form the team that won at Swansea as he looked to keep the team fresh. Dan Gosling, Josh King and Callum Wilson came into the starting line up and Andrew Surman dropped to the bench while Benik Afobe had not received international clearance from pulling out of the DR Congo squad and Jack Wilshere was barred from playing against his parent club.

Arsenal also made three changes. Shkodran Moustafi came into their back four, while midfield changes included Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey.

Match Description
The opening minutes saw both teams get into the game without too much of a pattern emerging. Arsenal started to move the ball in front of AFCB's box and Bellerin put a good early cross in.

A long throw from Steve Cook was well cleared by Arsenal before Josh King had the first shot that went wide of Cech's left post. Callum Wilson was finding it harder to get into the game getting flagged offside in the seventh minute.

AFCB were starting to get forward more with Francis on the right and won the first corner of the game. A shot came in from long rage from Stanislas that was hit with swerve but fairly centrally for Cech to save.

Arsenal's first corner was easily cleared by Daniels as the 10th minute passed. King was certainly stretching Arsenal's back four when he could and, along with Stanislas, he was looking the most lively of AFCB's players. Fraser's deep cross then almost found Wilson, but Arsenal headed the ball away.

Cech then came out as Stanislas put Wilson in, and the keeper just got the ball first before Wilson went  down. No penalty was the decision. Bournemouth were starting to have the lion's share of the possession.

All Arsenal could do was play on the break and Ramsey was caught offside. The home crowd were enjoying this and getting behind the men in red and black. Daniels pulled off Bellerin on the left flank and was spotted with a great cross ball from Stanislas and, as Daniels cut inside, he found room to shoot and made it 1-0 beating Cech on his near post on 17 minutes. It had been coming.

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On the break AFCB looked devastating and Wilson was past half way, picked out Fraser and he was unfairly pushed over carelessly by Xhaka. It all came from a free kick from Arsenal, but it ended up with a penalty to AFCbBand Wilson just strode up with purpose and put the ball straight down the middle to make it 2-0 to AFCB after 20 minutes.

AFCB had to keep calm now and they were making a few mistakes in giving away possession. The Cherries were able to play long balls for Stanislas and King as Arsenal pushed up. Coquelin was feeling his hamstring. He was having to go off.

Josh King was next to take a knock. In the meantime, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain replaced Francis Coquelin on 28 minutes.

Ramsey found himself with his back to goal having been fouled by Sanchez, but he turned well and saw his shot deflect wide off of Daniels for a corner. It was a warning though that Arsenal were still in this.

AFCB were really battling hard as shown by King and Fraser who were putting in shifts. Another ball over the top for Wilson had Mostafi back tracking and just able to put the ball out for a corner ahead of Wilson getting in on goal. Great play on the left with Fraser and Daniels and Aké saw a good pull back for King and a lay-off for Arter who saw his shot skew wide of Arsenal's goal.

Arter has some attention but he is quickly back on the field. The possession is pretty even now but the danger is coming from Bournemouth. This is as dominant a performance as we have seen in a half from the Cherries in the Premier League and they are doing it against a top six side.

While Sanchez was putting crosses in they were not finding Arsenal players. At the other end Wilson was holding up the ball well and setting up attacks.

Just when Arsenal found some space Oxlaide-Chamberlain's cross found Iwobi around the penalty spot, but Francis did enough to put the Arsenal player off and the shot went wide. It was important to keep Arsenal out before half time.

Gosling made a good interception and AFCB were off again on the hunt for a third. Arsenal's players were looking at each other very bemused by what was happening. There were three minutes of added time. Fraser from the left put a pass into Stanislas and he took no time in trying a low curling shot that just sneaked past the right upright.

Ramsey now picks up a yellow card for pulling down Wilson. Stanislas hit the top of the wall and that was half time.

Half time stats
AFCB 45 possession, 6 shots,  3 shots on target, 2 corners, 6 fouls
Arsenal 55 possession, 3 shots, 0 shots on target, 2 corners, 5 fouls

King and Fraser were causing loads of problems for Arsenal

Second half
Arsenal came out very determined and yet could not get an early shot in. AFCB's crowd were doing their best to keep the noise levels up. It was just as well as Giroud came close to getting a header towards goal, but Steve Cook made it too difficult for him.

Arsenal were stepping things up and Bellerin won a corner off of Daniels, but the corner was poorly hit. Ramsey almost cleverly weaved his way in, but Cook got a last ditch tackle in as the Welshman showed great feet to pass Francis in the box.

Lucky for AFCB that Sanchez who is beating players often is out wide and not in the centre like he was up at the Emirates. As I say that Sanchez is popping up on the right side now. Arsenal are camped in AFCB's half, but they can't find a final ball.

AFCB relieve the pressure through King who wins a throw. The cross comes in from King and Cech punches it out only for Arter to hit a shot on the edge of the box off Wilson and into the net, but Wilson apparently had his hands out and the ball deflected off of them so it's disallowed.

Fraser cuts inside on the left though and he puts the ball through the legs of Cech it's 3-0. Fraser did the keeper with his eyes and puts AFCB in control.

Sanchez up the other end cuts in but AFCB get bodies in the way and it's just a corner. This game looks over with AFCB breaking looking for the fourth, but Moustafi fouls Wilson and is lucky not to get cautioned.

Stanislas beats the wall from the free-kick and pulls a save out of Cech. Subs now Surman comes on for King. Arsenal sub Iwobi for Perez. Gabriel limps off as well and is replaced by Gabriel.

Fraser now is in again and just brought down as he was about to shoot. Oxlaide-Chamberlain made a great tackle but Fraser is having to come off.

Sanchez puts in a cross but Ramsey's shot is blocked by Arter. Arsenal get a lifeline as Sanchez is picked out on the far post by Oxlaide-Chamberlain, after Giroud's header on and he heads it low past Boruc to make it 3-1.

There is 20 minutes to go. AFCB just need to take the sting out of the game now. But it's Arsenal on the ball. Arter is pushed off the ball and Giroud shoots straight at Boruc.

AFCB have used a lot of energy up and they could perhaps do with some more legs now. Sanchez battles with Francis, but it's a handball from Sanchez just as he was closing in on goal.

Arsenal still come forward. Lucas Perez hits a volley and he's hit it right in the far corner 3-2! Some shot that. Can AFCB hand on for 15 minutes? It was set up by Giroud and Boruc only saw it flash past him - a vicious dipping volley.

Monreal just runs out of room after Sanchez tries to play him down the line.  Arter plays a great ball to Wilson, but he can't keep hold of it.  Mustafi gets a yellow card with just 10 minutes to go.

Adam Smith now Wilson puts Gosling in with a great chance. He swivels and he's put it wide!

Francis has been red carded for a challenge on Ramsey. It was a scissor challenge but there didn't look any intent. It was just mistimed.

We have some eight minutes of normal time left plus whatever the ref adds on. Adam Smith has gone to right back. A scrappy corner from Arsenal is cleared. Bodies are flying in at the far post but AFCB keep it out.

AFCB are so deep now.  Sanchez in to Ramsey and his volley on the turn goes wide. Boruc is carded for time wasting. Arter is still chasing.

Moustafi robs Daniels and shouts of a hand ball are rejected.

There are six minutes of added time. Brad Smith replaces Callum Wilson.

Arsenal still going for this and Giroud has levelled it with a header late on 3-3. Koscielny put the ball in and Giroud got ahead of Cook to make it 3-3. Oh what a blow for AFCB - they've fought so hard.

Arter and Adam Smith now. It's going to be a throw. Stanislas and Arter brings a save out of Cech. That could have won it for AFCB.

Summary
This game will have taken a lot out of AFCB. They had it won at 3-0 and it will be devastating for the players to comprehend that comeback from Arsenal. Still it is a point gained that the Cherries would have been pleased with before a ball was kicked. The sending off of Simon Francis was a big blow that arguably cost the Cherries two points. Now he will get a ban as well. The fans should be pleased with how the Cherries took the game to Arsenal though. They will not win a harder point all season, and while it feels like a defeat, I know Eddie will have been proud of the players and will try and get them to take on board how they got 3-0 up, and how they need to protect such leads better. UTCIAD! 

AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Cook, Aké, Daniels, Arter, Gosling, Stanislas, Fraser (A Smith 68), King (Surman 63), Wilson

AFCB Subs
Federici, B Smith, A Smith, Mings, Surman, Mousset, Ibe

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 6, Francis 5, Cook 8, Aké 8, Daniels 9, Arter 8, Gosling 6, Stanislas 8, Fraser 9, King 8, Wilson 7

Arsenal
Cech, Bellerín, Mustafi, Koscielny (Gabriel 64), Monreal, Coquelin (Oxlaide-Chamberlain 28), Xhaka, Ramsey, Sánchez, Iwobi (Perez 63), Giroud

Arsenal Subs
Maitland-Niles, Gabriel, Pérez, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holding, Reine-Adelaide

Referee watch: Michael Oliver - while I thought the red card was harsh Francis should have kept his challenge on the ground. The game was an epic for the neutral so the ref can't have spoilt it that much, even if it is not the result we wanted 6/10.  

Can AFCB really follow up on Swansea win?

Eddie's problems seem huge but a win against Arsenal
would make the Christmas period end with a very reasonable return of points.

The problem of winning back-to-back games will give Eddie Howe plenty of work over the next few hours as his side prepare to take on Arsenal. While the Cherries are at home, Howe knows that his side has found the top six sides problematic with one win and one draw and three defeats against the elite class of 2016-17. To beat Arsenal will need something special, but we've heard that before.

The evening games at Dean Court have been few and far between, with only the Leicester City game in the league and the League Cup defeat to Preston in the recent memory banks, so it will be a bit of a rarity to play Arsenal in an evening game. An evening game gives AFCB as good a platform as they could hope for to beat a top side with the atmosphere hopefully ramped up. Of all the big sides though, Arsenal have periods when they do wobble and it's often after Christmas for them when they find it hard to pick up points. Their current away for is three points from nine in their last three games.

For this match Arsenal could well be without Mesut Ozil who has been ill with a winter cold over the weekend, but it was noticeable that Pérez was brought into the side against Crystal Palace in preference to Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain who was a second half sub, and could be being saved for this match against AFCB along with Aaron Ramsey. With Arsenal only having 48 hours to prepare for the Bournemouth match it is unlikely that AFCB will face the same side that turned out against Crystal Palace, and it's likely that those that come in will have plenty to prove to keep Arsenal's title chase on course. Against Palace it was the wing-backs of Arsenal that looked imperious - Monreal and Bellerin.  But Olivier Giroud's spectacular goal will mean he is buzzing, while Alexis Sanchez will be annoyed at not getting on the score sheet for once.

Eddie Howe will say it is all about 'us' though and not Arsenal. The players at AFCB need to play with the intensity and ambition to not only compete with Arsenal, but to knock them out of their stride. While the back four pretty much picks itself it is the striker and winger options that will come under most scrutiny. Having seen how few changes led to a lacklustre performance against Southampton, Howe is likely to change at least one of his wingers. What is less predictable is whether he will leave Afobe as the main striker. I believe he will, as the prospect for Afobe to score against Arsenal will give him an added incentive and Afobe has been in reasonable form.  

A back-to-back win would be a massive lift for Howe's side coming against Swansea and Arsenal - two of the possession masters - but the sleekness of the Cherries own passing will have to be much higher than we have seen during December.  

Possible AFCB team
4-2-3-1 Boruc (GK), Francis (RD), S Cook (CD), Aké (CD), Daniels (LD),
Ibe (RM), Arter (CM), Surman (CM), Stanislas (LM), King (FW), Afobe (FW)

AFCB Subs
Federici (GK), Mings (CD), Grabban (LM), A Smith (RM/RD), Fraser (LM), Gosling (CM),
C Wilson (FW)

Arsenal Away FormWDWLL

AFCB Home Form
DLWWL

Cherries only manage temporary recovery at Emirates 3-1

Match Report

Arsenal 3 v 1 AFCB 

27 November 2016

Attendance: 59,978 

We arrive at the Emirates stadium.

Getting off to a good start against top sides like Arsenal is crucial and while Steve Cook looked back horrified at his dreadful back pass on 11 minutes that Alexis Sanchez gratefully accepted to put Arsenal ahead, the Cherries rallied well. Indeed, Callum Wilson's well won penalty on 22 minutes put the Cherries level beating Petr Cech from the spot. Yet, everything fell apart in the second half when AFCB failed to get to grips with Sanchez and Ozil and it was Theo Walcott that headed the Gunners back in front. While Michael Jones will look red faced on his huge error not to award a second AFCB penalty for Nacho Monreal's excellent catch, like a quarter-back, in the box, the Cherries were up against it all game with the yellow cards being handed out in their direction and it was only a surprise that it took Arsenal as long at the 90th minute to put the game away.

The Cherries in their blue away kit.

Charlie Daniels was the surprise omission from the squad so Brad Smith made his Premier League debut for the Cherries and Adam Smith returned to the team on the right wing. Meanwhile, Federici retained his goalkeeper position and Jordan Ibe returned to the bench.

AFCB await handshakes from Arsenal players.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery

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Arsenal started fastest with an early shot from Ozil that was blocked before Adam Smith went up the other end and shot wide from a Simon Francis pass. The speed of the game was not suiting AFCB though who soon found both Steve Cook and then Simon Francis booked for fouls on Sanchez and Oxlaide-Chamberlain, respectively. From the second free kick, Sanchez picked out Elneny, on the edge of the box, but his shot was blocked.

Still AFCB were finding it difficult to clear their lines and the real heart breaker came when Steve Cook decided to play a ball back to Federici without looking at the whereabouts of Sanchez who had a simply job of beating the keeper to the ball and rounding him to shoot into an empty net - 1-0 to the Arsenal on 11 minutes.

That was bad enough but a challenge by Nathan Aké on Sanchez in the box saw some worried faces among the AFCB crowd, but no foul was committed.

Arsenal had a problem with Debuchy who was subbed on 15 minutes for Gabriel to come on. AFCB started to get their game together then and won a few corners. An attempt by Nathan Aké to get on the end of one drew a few gasps, but the ball soon returned through Gosling to Wilson and when he went down the referee pointed to the spot. Callum Wilson steered the ball low and to Petr Cech's right - we were all square 1-1!

Harry Arter was then the recipient of a heavy stamp of a challenge from Monreal who was carded. Adam Smith put a header over from the free kick, as AFCB started to grow in confidence. Debutant Brad Smith was also getting forward and found himself in a good position to shot on 27 minutes but his shot was saved low down on the angle of the near post by Cech.

While AFCB played some great possession football they were not finding it easy to get in positions to shoot and Wilshere's craft was certainly missing. Steve Cook again misdirected a pass that Eleny luckily could strike cleanly. Arsenal were looking strong now with Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Sanchez linking up well only for Sanchez to shoot narrowly over the near post. AFCB were hanging on slightly as the first half came to a close and after a couple of corners Sanchez struck a shot from the right that cannoned off the cross bar.

AFCB recovered well to be level at half time.

Second half

Josh King was quick to win AFCB a corner in the second half. But it was Arsenal who were soon forcing the play. A cross from Ozil to the left side found Monreal, after Aké's half headed clearance, and Monreal who fired it back across the box to find Theo Walcott in space to head home and make it 2-1 with Nathan Aké unable to clear the ball off the line. 

There was still 35 minutes to go, but AFCB were second best at this point. They did not give up the fight easily though. AFCB kept the corners coming and Josh King whipped in a ball that flew right across the box. 

Sanchez was carded having caught Harry Arter and then Callum Wilson was subbed for Benik Afobe to make his return to Arsenal in a Bournemouth shirt. It would have been poetic if he could score I thought. Junior Stanislas also left the field with 20 minutes to go and Jordan Ibe replaced him. 

The curse of poor refereeing was the to hit AFCB for the second game in a row as Monreal and Adam Smith challenged for the ball with Monreal cradling the ball like he was rocking a young born baby off to sleep! He might as well of been holding the ball still and painting a face on it - the ref still would have let him off! Arter was so incensed that he over stepped the mark and was another one finding himself yellow carded.

As Oxlaide-Camberlain made way for Ramsey and Walcott was subbed for Olivier Giroud, Arsenal became a bit sloppy. Francis won a corner and the cross landed right at Benik Afobe's feet. This was his moment only, he didn't seem switched on and side-footed a weak shot straight at Cech!

The yellow cards were still mounting up for AFCB as Brad Smith became the latest recipient just leaving Nathan Akee in the back four to avoid a booking. Lys Mousset replaced Brad Smith straight away.

Time was not on AFCB's side and the ball was still up the wrong end. Federici was punching clear under pressure. Meanwhile, Gosling was also now yellow carded. As Lys Mousset put a header wide, AFCB's last effort disappeared. It was punished by a swift counter-attack. Ozil unravelled the last vestiges of AFCB's defence only to sweep the ball to Giroud who glanced across the box to give Sanchez a simple walk in goal on 90 minutes -3-1.

Added time saw a yellow card for Gabriel on Adam Smith, but AFCB had already been broken by then.

Simon Francis and Dan Gosling applaud the supporters. 

Lys Mousset with Eddie walking behind.

Summary

The flurry of early yellow cards put AFCB on the back foot from the start and while Steve Cook made a bad mistake, the team struggled to cope with Sanchez all game. Had they nailed him early on it could have been a different scoreline. Arsenal played everything threw Sanchez and AFCB's midfield did not get close to him as he wondered just about where he wanted to go. Still, there were positives in Brad Smith not looking out of place and there was game time for Afobe, Mousset and Ibe to bring them more into the fold. Federici will wonder how three goals got passed him as he had little to do, but when Arsenal had chances they took them. It's something AFCB need to add to their game and we've been saying that for a while.

Arsenal just had the edge on AFCB this time.

AFCB

Federici Francis, S Cook, Aké, B Smith, A Smith, Stanislas, Arter, Gosling, King, Wilson

AFCB Subs

Allsop, Mings, Fraser, Pugh, Ibe, Mousset, Afobe

AFCB Ratings

Federici 5, Francis 6, S Cook 3, Aké 7, B Smith 5, A Smith 8, Stanislas 5, Arter 6, Gosling 5, King 5, Wilson 6

Arsenal

Cech, Debuchy, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Wacott, Elneny, Ozil, Xhaha, Oxlaide-Chambaerlain, Sanchez

Arsenal Subs

Gibbs, Gabriel Pauliston, Ramsey, Giroud, Ospina, Iwobi, Coquelin

Refreee: Michael Jones: -10 awful bias on yellow cards, missed penalty - I'd better stop there!!

Federici would like to rewrite some FA Cup headlines

While Reading had a great run in the FA Cup last season it was not the happiest of days for Adam Federici at Wembley in the semi-final against Arsenal. Just the name Alexis Sanchez probably has soeme very bad memories for Adam, but he will have the experience of the big game to take with him into fixtures like the upcoming cup tie against Everton.

Adam Federici will probably step in for Artur Boruc.

I have been impressed with the way Adam Federici has knuckled down at Dean Court and come into the team when called upon. He has a difficult enough journey whenever Australia play at home or in international qualifiers, but he has found the south coast just as favourable even if a little colder than playing for country. Now it is the FA Cup that comes up again. It is a competition that he will always been linked with now and while he might not like that at the moment, he might change some opinions by helping AFCB progress to the sixth round.

As a shot stopper, Adam has been an excellent player to have at Dean Court. He has had a good run this season in the FA Cup and will be crucial in trying to keep a clean sheet against an Everton attack that are thel third equa highest scorers in the Premier League. While Adam has been the number two at Bournemouth, I don't believe that Eddie Howe has any worries about Adam's ability to play in the big matches and this one will be one of biggest of this campaign. 

Adam has played well in the cup competitions.

We know outfield players usually need a string of games to really feel at their best in matches, but it can't be much easier for keepers who are suddenly thrust into a game situation having been on the bench for several games. Adam's attitude though has always been good and he will be very keen to get back to Wembley and perhaps correct a few of those headlines that were written last year. 

Give me the Minute of the First Goal Scored!
This week we are having a slight change to the usual score prediction challenge. Now we are asking you in what minute will the first goal be scored between AFCB and Everton - also put down the goal scorer, if you really feel that you know it all! Tweet me, before Saturday morning, the predicted minute of the first goal to @PeterBell19

The closest minute time to the actual goal going in will win the prize no matter which team the goal goes in for. If we have more than one winner we will draw the winner from a hat.

The prize this week is the AFC Bournemouth sweat bands that no one was able to walk off with last week! There are lots of entrants already but has any one got the time right?

AFCB sweat bans - free to enter competition.

The Boxing Day hangover may still remain for Arsenal

The AFCB players have to find some energy from somewhere for the match against Arsenal. It may only be 48 hours between games but Arsenal played a few hours later than the Cherries, so they have less time to recuperate. This is where the extra cash that AFCB have spent on ice baths and treatment rooms really come into play and while I am not sure if the team will travel up by coach or fly, I expect they will be fresh and ready to go with high-intensity when they see the Gunner's logo on the side of the Emirates stadium.  

Artur Boruc will be keen to add a clean sheet against Arsenal to his record.

The Christmas period is always a busy period and Dan Hodges will have the players  well set up to recover their energy quickly. I am not sure if the Southampton battering of Arsenal did the Cherries much good, but the defeat will be fresh in the heads of the Arsenal players which could be a good thing if the Cherries can have a good start and put them under pressure from the off. The game is a late kick-off at 5.30pm and that will also not sit comfortably with Arsenal after the late game against Southampton, even if it is in their home stadium. The Boxing Day hangover may still remain for Arsenal.

We know that Arsenal have a big squad, but they have also got injury worries - most notably Sanchez and Cazorla. But they have great talent at their disposal and players like Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Walcott will be a big test for Daniels and Smith, while Giroud has been scoring a lot of goals. Arter and Gosling will also have to take on Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil - doesn't it make you excited? I hope Eddie does not over think the threat from Arsenal though. The Cherries have to give Arsene Wenger's team something to think about and Josh King and Junior Stanislas can do it against the best teams as we have seen this month already.

Every Bournemouth player is going to need to be on their game but they have to be as excited about this game as the fans. If they perform and get a result at Arsenal it will surely have been the best footballing month in the Cherries' history.   

Later today, I answer some questions on the Cherries on the Gunners Town website - look out for my interview at Gunners Town.

Rival Lines: Junior Stanislas worries You Are My Arsenal

Rival Lines
Match Preview: Arsenal v AFCB
Blogger Interview: You are my Arsenal
Twitter: @YouAreMyArsenal

I wanted to give you readers some idea of how the Premier League is spreading its wings across the Atlantic, especially following AFCB's tie-up with Peak6. So when it came to contacting an Arsenal blogger I got in touch with Michael Price on the You Are My Arsenal site that operates out of the USA. If you did not think the game was big over there check out the You Are My Arsenal website's twitter account - 70.6k followers!

CC: How did You are my Arsenal get started over in the USA?

YAMA: We started in 2008 when the US supporters club made substantial changes to it's posting policy on what was then really the only place online for US Gooners to congregate. We originally started out as a place for a few of us to discuss matches and the team in general. I'm based in Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia, East coast, USA.

CC: How do you see the games in the USA - do you go to a favourite local drinking hole or do you live stream at home - and do you miss not seeing Arsenal games live?

YAMA: Most of the games I watch either from the comfort of my own home or live in one of two Gooner-based pubs local to me. Yes, not seeing them live is difficult. Prior to 2000 I was over at least twice a year to see them.

CC: What is the amount of support for Arsenal over on the States and are they a team that many US fans have really taken to for any particular reason?

YAMA: I don't have any concrete numbers but we are one of the largest clubs supported in the US. When they were over in New York two summers ago - they had to cancel events because they completely underestimated the response and the venues were too small. The New York and Philadelphia supporters clubs are two of the largest in the US have been recognised by the club as their own stand-alone official clubs. If you didn't come to Arsenal a long time ago, I'd say recent converts like the way the team plays, likes its a challenger and probably one of the clubs that is on US TV all the time.

CC: I picked Arsenal pre-season to win the Premier League in 2015-16 - was it the right team to back?

YAMA: Hard to say after getting drubbed 4-0 to Southampton on boxing day. But I had them pegged on to win and I am going to stick by that. Even with the loss on Boxing Day, it's not the end of the world. Especially given the uncertainty in the league this season.

CC: Are the number of London derby matches the biggest worry to Arsenal fans when it come to making a viable title challenge every season?

YAMA: I don't think so. I actually think it lends to the strengthening of the side. Any derby is always a big match. London derbies are for the king of the capital. Obviously though, the North London Derby is the biggest and most meaningful.

CC: Who do you believe has been Arsenal's best player this season so far and what Premier League game has been most memorable?

YAMA: Mesut Özil bar none. And 3-0 win against United sticks out so far. We completely annihilated a team that we've not beaten with any regularity in the last few years.

CC: Olivier Giroud has been banging in the goals but are you convinced about Theo Wallcott being a number 9?

YAMA: I think the tandem gives us two different options up front. We've got Giroud with strength and hold up play (And that near post diagonal run) and we've got Theo who is looking to exploit the gaps between the back 4. I do think Theo is making a strong case for himself as a number 9.

CC: The Gooner's midfield has been tremendous with Ozil, Cazorla and Ramsey so can you see Wilshere being injured as a big loss this season?

YAMA: It's a big loss because it hurt our ability to rotate and rest someone like Cazorla who is now injured until March. Wilshere would've made it easier to rotate and likely gotten Cazorla rested throughout the first half of the season.

CC: Joel Campbell has been finding his feet in the team, but do you think he is better than Oxlade-Chamberlain?

YAMA: I think it's a toss up between the two. Joel Campbell seems better in keeping the ball than Oxlade-Chamberlain but the Ox offers more hunger going forward. Both need improvement in their decision making in the final third.

CC: Do you think Alexis Sanchez will want to move on if he does not win silverware this season?

YAMA: No. I think Sanchez wants to be the main man and at Arsenal he is that. In all of his moves he moved for playing time. I think he at a minimum sees out his contract then decides.

CC: Does Arsene Wenger need to buy players in January and who would you suggest he buys?

YAMA: I do think he has to buy. I'd like a DM and Winger for cover.

CC: What have you made of AFC Bournemouth's start to the season?

YAMA: I've been impressed with the run of late. They've not given in and really took chances when they had to and had some good wins against the likes of United and Chelsea.

CC: Are there any AFC Bournemouth players that you think Arsenal need to be particularly wary of?

YAMA: I like the looks of Junior Stanislas. He clearly has bought into what Howe is doing and I think he can cause problems for a team that is going to be smarting after the Boxing Day massacre.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match?

YAMA: Head says 0-0 draw
Heart says 1-0 bounce back win for the Arsenal

CC: Many thanks for You Are My Arsenal taking some time out over the busy Christmas period to answer Cherry Chimes' questions. Please do take a look at the You Are My Arsenal site which asks Is it Arsenal's year? There's also a match report on the Man City top of the table clash and I expect a preview of the AFC Bournemouth game will soon be up on the site.