Bournemouth vs Arsenal. The FA Cup Fourth Round.
Vitality StadiumAttendance10,308.
The Gunners are now unbeaten in six matches in all competitions under Mikel Arteta; Bournemouth's attention now switches to securing Premier League survival
Tuesday 28 January 2020 06:12, UK
Arsenal set up an FA Cup fifth-round tie at League One Portsmouth after holding on for a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Bournemouth.
The Gunners did not waste any time getting into their stride at the Vitality Stadium as Bukayo Saka (5) finished an excellent team move to give his side the lead before Eddie Nketiah (26), making his first start since returning from a loan spell at Leeds, doubled Mikel Arteta's side's advantage.
After the break, Bournemouth searched for a way back into the game with Jack Simpson and Dan Gosling both going close, and they were eventually handed a lifeline when substitute Sam Surridge scored in the fourth minute of eight additional minutes.
Eddie Howe's side did have one final opportunity to force a replay, but Lewis Cook's drive failed to test goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as the Gunners held on to extend their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions.
The Gunners now have a trip to Fratton Park to look forward to next month, while Bournemouth, who are 18th in the Premier League, must turn their attention to securing their top-flight status.
Arteta's side flew out of the traps, taking the lead inside six minutes through Saka's powerful drive.
The Gunners worked their way up field with a 22-pass move as Joe Willock picked out Gabriel Martinelli in the Bournemouth penalty area before the Brazilian laid the ball off to the overlapping full-back. Saka looked as though he was going square the ball across the face of Mark Travers' goal but hammered the ball home off the underside of the crossbar.
Arsenal weren't letting Bournemouth find any rhythm and they deservedly doubled their advantage in the 26th minute.
Saka turned provider as a well-worked Arsenal move ended with the full-back crossing for Nketiah to convert from eight yards out. VAR was asked to look at a potential offside against Martinelli in the build-up, but the Arsenal fans were soon celebrating again as the goal was given.
Bournemouth finally grabbed a foothold in the game right at the end of the first half and they almost pulled a goal back when Harry Wilson thumped a volley towards goal, but Martinez stood firm at his near post to send his side in at the break two goals to the good.
Arsenal continued to dominate without any great exertion after the break, but suffered a blow when Shkodran Mustafi was carried off just shy of the hour.
Bournemouth capitalised on the defensive readjustment to cause mayhem at a corner, but Jack Simpson headed wide with the goal at his mercy after Martinez unwisely stepped off his line.
As Arsenal looked to play out the win, Surridge popped up with a smart finish after a neat piece of control.
Eight minutes of added time even allowed Bournemouth to hunt an equaliser, but Cook blasted over from 18 yards as the Gunners held on.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: "The start was hugely disappointing. Maybe the early goal rocked us psychologically, but we really struggled to deal with Arsenal in that first half-an-hour. It was all the basics really.
"Once we recovered, I thought we were fine, and the better team in the second half, but it was too late. I don't think we learned too much tonight because our mentality wasn't right in the first half hour. And we'll kick ourselves now because that game was there for us."
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta: "Very pleased. It's always tough to come here and win, and we've done it with a young team as well.
"I have a lot of faith in them. I think they are developing really well. They are willing and hungry and will only get better. We analyse opponents and try to generate situations that are favourable for our players.
"I was worried with their history in the last few weeks we would concede in the last few minutes. Our history with this cup is massive for the club. We need to take it step by step."
Mikel Arteta on Mustafi injury and transfers - read more
Arsenal have been linked with PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa during the January transfer window with Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney out injured, but the performances of Saka in recent weeks may have prompted a rethink from Arteta.
The 18-year-old produced another mature performance at the Vitality Stadium and he showed all of his prowess going forward, scoring Arsenal's opener before setting up Nketiah for what proved to be the winning goal.
Saka has now both scored and assisted in three separate games for Arsenal this season (vs Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege and today against Bournemouth) - no other player has done so more than once for the Gunners in 2019-20.
He has also been directly involved in ten goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season (3 goals & 7 assists) with only Gabriel Martinelli (13) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (17) have been involved in more for the Gunners this season.
Bournemouth are back in action on Saturday when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League; Kick-off 3pm.
Arsenal play next Sunday when they travel to Burnley in the Premier League, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm. Kick-off at Turf Moor is at 2pm.
