As you imply it seems a bit odd. But maybe it’s another point that proves something we all should have learned by now. Never, ever assume a player’s signing is secured until there are photos of him holding a club shirt up and smiling on Arsenal.com.

Nketiah starts.

That Xhaka Guendouzi pivot looks concerning

What does it take for ceballos to get a game. What’s the problem there ?

Not fully fit?

Isn’t Ceballos supposed to be asking Real Madrid to cancel his contract with Arsenal and take him back? If so, that could have something to do with it.

Saka what a goal

Sakaaaaaaaaaaaa

Our centre halves have made a shocking start

Seem intent on gifting them a goal

?
Are we watching the same game?

They were diving into the challenge too soon. Sokratis almost got caught twice

Willock has started very well

Seems to know his role and is very direct

That's two perfect 50 yard diagonal passes now - by Mustafi out to Saka on the left. Blimey.

Eddie! Lovely move.

Edddiiiieeeeeeee

Agreed. Looking excellent. But Bournemouth are absolutely terrible.

Credit to Mustafi there. He’s playing very well.

This first 20 odd minutes must be the most perfect we’ve had all season, and for a few seasons possibly. Kept the ball so well, passing, movement and crucially for me there is a clear tactic to have Saka as the spare man wide left and both goals have come that way. This is stuff that is happening on the training pitch actually happening in a game!

Mustafi is looking like a classy ball playing CB full of confidence.

Team playing brilliantly

Bizarre game

Bournemouth look like they wish they never had to play this fixture

Mustafi has been sensational so far.

If he’s not smashed it into his own net then he’s been superb

Wand of a right foot!

Away support chanting his name!

We have the pièce de résistance of underhit pass backs coming up surely folks !

Think they will bring on Callum Wilson at halftime, they have posed zero threat

Saka or Kolasinac ?

Really there’s not much in that. Saka is way better going forward and looks like he could understand the art of defence.

Really good half to see. I said after the second goal the most pleasing part is there is an obvious game plan and tactic of shape and how to move the ball and create the space. The players need to put it in to action but it’s so nice to see a gameplan that our opponents struggle to work out how to stop.
Xhaka in as a left centre back, Saka pushed very high, Harry Wilson on bmouth’s right isn’t the best defensively and hasn’t got a clue of whether to press Xhaka and get passed around easily or sit off him and let him dictate the game.
Some plays straight out of the Pep playbook, overload one side of the pitch, usually the right, ensure the left winger (saka) stays as high and wide as possible and then switch the ball to him once you’ve sucked in enough of their players. Both goals came that way

Listen up Kazkh Boy ....wouldn't it have been a lot quicker to say ... " Gosh Kiwi you really nailed that .....that was such a visionary comment "
...... instead of giving it the Exiled cut and polish .

Struggling to see how Pépé is worth 72 million ; on tonight's performance I'd think Willock is worth more .

Please don't be injured Martinelli

well that would be the first time since George Graham was manager that anyone thought like this about games at the club.

Mustafi has hurt his bonce properly.

Get that Brazilian to turn his plane around.

That's a pity for Mustafi. Not too serious I hope.

I think it's his ankle.

If that’s a big one the club will have to act.

Down to 3 in that position

Martinez flapping at a corner and getting nowhere near - should have been a goal. He's looked a bit dodgy tonight.

Saka has been my man of the match so far.

Having a player at left back who is so good on the ball is such an advantage. He’s been outstanding since he’s been covering and could pose problems.

Good effort by the travelling support. It’s important.

Sokratis with another towering header from a corner, gets totally clattered after, and no foul from the ref. He only stops the game as both players down with head injuries.

A minute ago he gave us one of those uncontested drop balls as we were in possession when the game was stopped but dropped it for us on the edge of our own box and allowed Bournemouth to have two players 5 yards away to press as soon as the ball was dropped so all we could do is give it an almighty hump back to them. Not really the spirit of an uncontested drop ball

Holding is a worry. Unconvincing.

Looks like a good night, with a 5th round tie at Portsmouth to come. Overall, plenty of positives.

Edit - 2-1. Sorry for posting that. I should have known better.

See what I mean?

Shocking defending. Totally bog standard and as bad as anything Mustafi would do

Guendouzi has been good though.

Hang in there time

Got there in the end.

Bossed the first half, though Bournemouth never really turned up until the second.

Saka and Guendouzi excellent.

We are still very suspect when teams do manage to get at us, thankfully Bournemouth rarely did until the latter stages.