Bournemouth

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth shocked the Premier League at the weekend by ending Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season. The substitutions proved decisive and in particular, the introduction of Ryan Christie made the difference.

After scoring for Scotland in the week and given the positive press he has received, Christie was surprisingly named on the bench for the Cherries on Saturday, albeit his introduction was worth waiting for.

His first goal of the season for Bournemouth turbocharged an impressive 2-0 win over the Gunners and it was pleasing to know that many neutral fans finally got to see what Cherries fans see regularly from their flying Scotsman.

Still deployed from a wide attacking area for his national team, Christie was signed predominantly as a right winger and that remained the case until Andoni Iraola got the gig at Vitality Stadium.

Faced with a lack of central midfield options, the Bournemouth head coach persisted with Ryan in a role we never anticipated - and it has more than paid off.

He covers every blade of grass with his aggressive press exactly how Iraola wants Bournemouth to play and in general Christie has become one of Bournemouth’s most consistent performers for some time now.

He has gone from a player that many deemed surplus to requirements to an integral part of the side - without question, a fans' favourite. The desire, work rate and energy is undeniable, but adding that bit of quality in the final third will only add to the love he receives from the Cherries faithful.

Not all Scottish Ryans are welcomed at Bournemouth, but we roll out the red carpet for this one.

Find more from Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

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A Bournemouth-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Oliver asked: Hi Phil. When teams such as Bournemouth beat Arsenal why is there so much focus on what Arsenal did wrong, rather than what Bournemouth did right? I feel teams outside the top six never get enough credit for top performances.

Phil answered: Hi OIiver. I sense your frustration but unfortunately it is always a bigger story when one of the big teams takes a heavy fall.

I did think Bournemouth got credit but Arsenal are the headline story. The way of the world I'm afraid.

On this game, I just loved that set piece for Ryan Christie’s goal, a brilliantly worked corner routine involving Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert. Straight off the training ground and brilliantly executed.

Can you imagine how delighted coach Andoni Iraola and his staff will have been with that?

Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Bournemouth's set piece routine that resulted in Ryan Christie firing into the top corner against Arsenal was "perfectly executed and beautiful to watch".

"Their set piece coach has earned his pay cheque because that was done to perfection," he told the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "Those sort of things look so good when they are designed and finished like that, but when they don't work you are open to the counter attack.

"I think it is the best set piece of the season so far. Perfectly executed and beautiful to watch."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Steve: A magnificent performance from the Cherries. Underrated by many, they showed exactly what they are really capable of and took it to Arsenal from the first whistle to the last. The first goal was a beautiful set piece straight off the training ground and plaudits go to Andoni Iraola and his backroom boys. Villa next and they will not treat us as a pushover.

Nick: We always create chances against any other team that we play, but today we were out of the blocks quicker than Arsenal and they were very flat in their play. We just out-played them, simple as that. Well done Cherries.

Rob: Small margins often dictate how a game goes. The sending off worked in our favour and we dispatched Arsenal with ease. A great performance.

Arsenal fans

Jeff: Poor sideways and backwards passing tactics. They got what they deserved; nothing. Arteta needs to realise where the goal is and try to get the ball in it. Dull tactics. If he can't see the obvious he needs to get out of town. You don't win games or titles with cowardly tactics.

John: Abysmal to be honest, even with 11 we didn't look like winning. The red card, that wasn't, just confirmed that we would lose the game. We have struggled against so called lesser opposition all season. If it doesn't change we can kiss goodbye to any kind of success.

Rachel: Poor performance from Arsenal but I think it's been coming for some time. Most players were poor, some were a liability, some still showed they really wanted it. The result was almost fair in the circumstances but what worries me most is the knock to their confidence. Interesting to see how well they bounce back, do they have the mentality?

Gary Lineker brings highlights and analysis from Saturday's Seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man Utd 2-1 Brentford

• Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal

Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist

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This was not the fixture Bournemouth would have picked for producing a response to the disappointing loss at Leicester before the international break.

The Cherries had lost the past four Premier League meetings with Arsenal by an aggregate score of 13-2 – conceding at least three goals in each - a recent record which made their victory on Saturday evening all the sweeter.

While William Saliba's red card ultimately changed the course of the game, with the visitors favourites at the Vitality Stadium as they sought to go top of the table, there were already signs Andoni Iraola's side were ready for this challenge.

This time last year Bournemouth were winless after nine league games as Iraola endured a difficult start to his tenure, but the Spaniard has implemented his playing style and developed the side into a hard-working, high-pressing nightmare for opponents.

The visit of Arsenal was the start of a tough run which will see Iraola’s team play Aston Villa, Manchester City and Brentford before November’s internationals.

That is the most difficult of any club according to Opta’s team rating but here the Cherries, now in the top half, certainly showed they are up for the challenge.

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Bournemouth's victory against Arsenal: "For us it was an important game after losing the last one against Leicester so we had to recover.

"Today we started very well. There was the red card and from then it was tricky as they are still a threat from set plays, free kicks. But we had the patience and ended the game well

"The advantage they have at set plays is they are taller than us so we had to find another way to make a difference. Today it worked and it was important.

"At the end they decided they are going to attack the same way, obviously conceded more space in behind and we had to take every chance. We benefit from a mistake and got the penalty, but even at 2-0 we had to finish the game".

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth secured just their second ever Premier League victory against Arsenal (P15 D2 L11), and first since January 2018 (2-1).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance, external

What did you make of Arsenal’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week eight, he takes on legendary boxing manager Kellie Maloney.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

This is another game I am really looking forward to.

Arsenal have got a few injury issues to deal with, including Bukayo Saka, who limped off with a hamstring problem during England's defeat by Greece. He is in my Fantasy team so I am hoping he will be fit, and so will all Gunners fans.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are also injury doubts, while Martin Odegaard is still sidelined, but we know that the Gunners can grind out results even if missing some of their best attacking players.

They have an excellent defence, which is behind this habit they have of always finding a way to get a result, but this time I would not be surprised if they came unstuck.

Bournemouth always create chances, whoever they play against. The Cherries' issue has been that they have not always taken those opportunities... but Saturday could be a different story.

Kellie's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but Arsenal are going to be hard to stop. They have got a great defence, which is one of the reasons I think they will win the title this season. 0-2

Read the rest of their predictions, and have your own say here

There are seven matches that make up Saturday's Premier League action:

• Tottenham v West Ham - 12:30

• Fulham v Aston Villa

• Ipswich v Everton

• Manchester United v Brentford (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Newcastle v Brighton

• Southampton v Leicester

• Bournemouth v Arsenal - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-off 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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The Premier League returns this weekend, with each club having played seven matches.

BBC Sport has looked at eight players that have performed better than fans may have expected this season.

Bournemouth paid more than £10m to sign Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo from Bristol City in January 2023, but he then only scored twice in his first 17 matches in the Premier League.

However, Cherries fans are now seeing the best of the explosive and skilful attacker, who has entertained supporters with goals against Nottingham Forest, Everton and Southampton.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has now challenged the 24-year-old to maintain his form, saying: "Antoine is doing well. He's scoring goals and been a threat, but he has to continue. He has to show his form can be more consistent and he can add more than the goals as well."

Did you know? Semenyo has been involved in more shots following a ball carry than any other player in the Premier League this season (16 - 10 shots, six chances created).

See the other players BBC Sport picked here

Image source, Opta

With the October international break now firmly in the rearview mirror, Opta Analyst, external have turned their attention to the next four Premier League fixtures.

Here, they have given each team a ranking between 80 and 100 and then found the average to determine to difficulty of the schedule.

Liverpool's opening seven matches were ranked the easiest in the league, but their upcoming four are the fourth-toughest in the division. They will face Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton, with an average opponent strength of 91.4 before the next international break.

Fellow early pacesetters Arsenal also have challenging fixtures, playing Bournemouth, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea with an average rating of 90.7, while Manchester City's next four against Wolves, Southampton, Bournemouth and Brighton are ranked the third-easiest by Opta.

Chelsea and Brighton have the second-hardest and third-hardest runs respectively, a real test given the promising starts for their new managers Enzo Maresca and Fabian Hurzeler.

At the other end of the table, Leicester - who recently secured their first win of the season against Bournemouth - have a chance to build with the easiest run in the division. They face Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Manchester United.

Fellow promoted side Ipswich will hope to pick up their first win of the season during a run of games that is ranked the fifth-easiest.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport researcher

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Iraola confirmed he has a full squad able to play: "Availability-wise, everyone has come back well. No injuries from the national team games. I think everyone is going to be available.

• On the recovery of Tyler Adams and Milos Kerkez: "Tyler probably lacks game time, but he's doing very well. He's trained very well and he's ready. Milos is feeling better and I hope they can both be available."

• He reflected on the Cherries' start to the season, sitting 13th with eight points from seven games: "If you look at the stats, we should probably have more points. The big mistake we've made is the game we lost against Leicester. The other results are more or less logical, but we have to recover the three points we lost there. We have three games in a row against Champions League teams so we have to recover those points in a difficult way."

• On the impact of losing key figures like Dominic Solanke and Neto in the summer: "All the team have to evolve when we lose a big part of what happened last season. It's natural that players have to assume more responsibility. We have very good characters in the changing room."

• He discussed the Cherries having had the third-most shots in the league but only scored eight goals: "We are arriving with numbers inside the box and feel like we can score. The truth is we aren't scoring enough for the amount of time we are spending close to the opposition box. This is the part that can make us more efficient and win more points. We trust the players we have in offensive areas and they have to continue doing things that make us play well."

• On Saturday's title-chasing opponents: "You have to try to respect them, but maybe not so much. I would say they were the team from last season where we created less than them in both games. We haven't been the team we want to be against them and it's a challenge for us. You have to win duels against strong defenders and impose yourself."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Do you know who Bournemouth's fastest player is?

He joined in the summer and tops the chart after seven Premier League games.

Find out who here

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

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More than a year after arriving from Bristol City, Alex Scott remains an enigma.

'The Guernsey Grealish' gave another reminder of his undoubted talents on Tuesday evening, playing a key role for England Under-21s as they demolished Azerbaijan 7-0 at Ashton Gate. That was in front of the Bristolian fans who used to sing his name as he burst onto the Championship scene as a precocious teenager.

Those City supporters will feel they got more value for money than those from Bournemouth who packed out the Vitality Stadium for the U21s' previous game on Friday evening, when Ukraine were the opposition.

However, despite having featured heavily in pre-match promotional material, Scott remained an unused substitute to the disappointment of his 'home' fans.

Since making his big-money move in the summer of 2023, Scott has started 12 Premier League games, with a further 18 appearances off the bench. While he has featured in every league game this season, he is still yet to ink his name onto Andoni Iraola's teamsheet as a regular starter.

That is partially down to ill-fortune. Scott picked up an injury just before leaving City, meaning he missed his first pre-season with the Cherries and delayed his debut until October. Despite showing glimpses of his star quality early on, he was injured again in his third top-flight appearance and sidelined for another six weeks.

Since his return last December, Scott has featured in 27 of the Cherries' past 29 Premier League games, making the occasional start, but has struggled to dislodge Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie who have formed a strong central midfield axis in Iraola’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

There is also a sense that Bournemouth may not have discovered Scott's best position.

Having thrived playing further forward for England U21s, it will give Iraola food for thought as they try to unlock the defences of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City in their next three games.

BBC Sport pundit Fara Williams will be answering your questions, giving her insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former England midfielder?

What can your team achieve after their start to the season? Who has been your best player so far? What does the manager's future hold?

Send in your questions here, external