Post-Match Report

Match report: Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal

Bournemouth -

Vitality Stadium
The Emirates FA Cup
The Emirates FA Cup
  Bournemouth
      
              S. Surridge (90 + 4)
          
   crest
Bournemouth
S. Surridge (90 + 4)
1 2
  Arsenal
      
                  Saka (5)
                   Nketiah (26)
            
   crest
Arsenal
Saka (5)
Nketiah (26)

WHAT HAPPENED

Our young players were very much to the fore as two first-half goals booked our place in the last-16 of the Emirates FA Cup, and a trip to Fratton Park.

Eighteen-year-old Bukayo Saka lashed home the opening goal inside five minutes, finishing a move that Joe Willock was at the heart of, driving forward before releasing Gabriel Martinelli who laid the ball off for the overlapping Saka.

The angle appeared to be against the left back, but he had no other thought than smashing the ball home past Mark Travers inside the near post.

All 10 outfield players were involved in the build-up, which consisted of 22 passes in all.

We continued to make all the running after taking the lead, and deservedly doubled our advantage with another well-worked goal, with our youngsters heavily involved.

Willock sprayed a fantastic long pass out to Saka in space on the left flank, his low cross was behind Martinelli, but perfectly into the path of 20 year old Eddie Nketiah, who tucked home from six yards.

VAR checked for a possible offside against Martinelli's kneecap, but the goal stood, and we had some breathing space.

The hosts came back towards the end of the half, and Harry Wilson forced a low save from Emi Martinez before the break.

Despite being two goals down, Bournemouth were in no mood to end their FA Cup campaign without a fight.

We had a real let off when Jack Simpson missed a glorious chance with his head from a corner, when he outjumped Martinez from a corner.

We weren't having things all our own way in the second half, and were forced into a defensive reshuffle when Shkodran Mustafi was stretchered off, to be replaced by Rob Holding.

We had limited Bournemouth to few clear-cut chances, until deep into the eight minutes of injury-time when Sam Surridge ghosted into the box and tucked home past Martinez.

It set up a nervy last few minutes, and Lewis Cook flashed a late shot over the bar, but overall we were good value for the win, and will now visit League One opposition in the fifth round.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Follow this link for a play by play commentary of the match.

TEAM NEWS

The team showed five changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Chelsea last time out. Emi Martinez retained his place as 'cup keeper' while Sokratis returned from illness to replace the suspended David Luiz.

Joe Willock came in for the rested Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi replaced Lucas Torreira. Eddie Nketiah was selected up front for his first Arsenal start since last season's FA Cup third round win at Blackpool, and only his fourth start overall for us. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completed his three-match ban.

WHAT IT MEANS

The record 13-time winners of the Emirates Cup march on in to the fifth round, where we will face Portsmouth away. In a change to tradition this season, the tie will be played during midweek, on the week beginning March 2, and there will be no replays from that stage onwards.

WHAT'S NEXT

It's our third away game in a row this Sunday, at Burnley's Turf Moor in a 2pm kick off in the Premier League. There then follows a two-week winter break before we resume the league campaign at home to Newcastle.

Before all that though, the transfer window closes this Friday, at 11pm UK time. Stay close to Arsenal.com for potential updates.

THREE THINGS WE NOTICED

Youthful exuberance, Eddie's back, The left-wing link up 

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