BOURNEMOUTH CLIFF-NOTES

Didn’t stay up until 3 am to watch the game? You Europeans are weak. But, say no more. I've got you covered with my notes from the game.

Bournemouth Notes 1st Half:

Eddie looked strong, got into some nice positions, created openings for himself, but didn’t finish in front of goal.

Nwaneri showed his talent early on with a surging run that will have internet compers swooning.

Reiss Nelson looked like a £20m player. He used his pace and stepover prowess to beat Aarons to the touchline before delivering a great cross to Fabio Vieira, who scored a wonderful volley. It was extra special because he kept his concentration with Eddie trying to head it.

Fabio Vieira still looks like he needs to find a rare LA BBQ and stuff his face with 14 pounds of brisket. But he showed nice touches and made some good passes.

Sorry to interrupt this real-time flow, but this Bournemouth kit is so saucy. The deep red, the rounded collar, no sponsor, the classy pattern—no team gets relegated in this bad boy.

Timber played at RCB. Early on, you could see his class on the ball, but what I really enjoyed was his leadership next to a very young LCB (Heaven) and LB (Myles-Skelly).

Karl Hein came for a cross and totally missed it. I have concerns about his lack of height in the long term. Perhaps that's why we've signed Tommy Setford.

Heaven just slipped and let Solanke in. I feel for the lad; he’s clearly a bit nervous, despite showing some solid moments. Still, let’s be fair; he’s playing against one of the better English strikers, known for being a bully. Worth noting, the transition happened when Reiss lost the ball—price dropped to £19m.

Thomas Partey did not really impress, but we know he’s a slow starter, and to be honest, I’m just shocked to see him fit.

2nd Half:

Martin was subbed on—he looked healthy, like he’d had the summer off.

MLS was skinned—fear not though, Fabio Vieira mopped up in the box like a center back. Dango was targeting him a little bit.

Trossard, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Kiwior, Jesus, Sagoe Jr, and Rekik rolled on at 61 minutes—there were certainly some very gassed players.

Jesus took up the 9 position—no trial ballooning out wide today at least.

Rekik and Kiwior gave us some power in central defense—I was a bit taken aback by the size of Rekik.

The new team had more composure—Jorginho added control and the ball began to zip at a higher velocity.

Rekik was the second academy center back to trip after fast movement from Bournemouth—Outarra found himself in on goal after a deft flick, but Hein was up to the challenge and made a great block.

Odegaard hit the target from 28 yards with a very nicely struck free-kick—the keeper made a good save. Arsenal do not have good free-kick takers.

Arsenal’s African kit looks good, people—it’s clean, the colors are working for me. But it’s no black & gold. Am I missing the neon tiger? If I speak...

Rekik lost the ball trying to drive forward like Calafiori, allowing Semenyo to drive at goal and smash a ball in off Ben White’s ankle. An ugly goal dripping in inexperience.

Odegaard dropped a lovely backheel in the Bournemouth box to Ben White, but it came to nothing.

Jesus had been quiet but showed a tasty bit of tight control in the box... before doing nothing.

Jesus put Sagoe Jr in on goal, and he was smashed over. I think one of the biggest issues these young kids have breaking into first teams is strength—we’ve seen it countless times this evening that Bournemouth senior players are dropping players with ease.

Nwaneri looked like he was taking up a bit of a left 8 role in the second half and had a shot blocked. I’m trying to pump the moment, but it wasn’t that close.

Josh Nichols, Essex boy right back, came on for Ben White. My new fave, geezer.

... loses the ball right away, then doesn’t have the power to get it back, we conceded a very good chance.

The game is very messy—I have no idea who is playing where right now—and Bournemouth are having the better chances.

Zinchenko gave Nwaneri an earful about his runs.

Jesus and Odegaard combined to create a chance for Trossard—lovely footwork from the Norwegian.

1-1. It goes to penalties.

Semenyo SCORES 1-0

Odegaard SCORES. It was slow and close. 1-1

Hein saves high with a big wow save. 1-1

Zinchenko sends Neto the wrong way 2-1

Ouattarra with a panenka. DISGRACE. 2-2

Jorginho, with a not-so-silly run-up, hits to Neto’s left. 2-3

Smith down the middle. 3-3

Tross the boss... low left POST. 3-3

Jebbison scores, but Hein gets a touch. 4-3

JESUS MIDDLE LEFT AND HIGH. 4-4

Christie SAVED LOW. 4-4

KIWISCOOOOOOOOOOOOORE! 4-5

Arsenal win.

I’ll be back with a podcast later and some thoughts on The Smith and Riccardo.