‘Brave’ Bournemouth boost European hopes with Arsenal win | OneFootball

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola lauded a “complete performance” from his side after they beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. 

Viktor Gyokeres cancelled out Junior Kroupi’s opener in the first half, converting from the penalty spot after Ryan Christie handled the ball in the box.

But the Gunners could not find the goal to put them ahead as Alex Scott’s well taken goal secured a famous away victory for the Cherries and extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 12 matches. Ironically, their last top-flight defeat came against Arsenal in January.

‘Brave’ Bournemouth boost European hopes with Arsenal win

“We showed great personality to play in a big game and a big stadium. We’ve been at the level of the game. I’m very happy for the players,” Iraola told BBC Sport.

Bournemouth had gone 22 days without a game, during which time Arsenal played in both the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, but they showed no signs of rustiness with a very assured performance.

“You are worried you lose the intensity of the competition,” Iraola continued. “We started really well. We recovered some players. Physically we sustained the level of the game. We finished strong. We were coming from a lot of draws in a row.

“Alex [Scott] has been like this for many months. He was amazing today. He’s in such good form. I’m so happy for him. He’s worked a lot to be at this level.

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“Defensively apart from the penalty we defended those [set-piece] situations. We were quite brave. A complete performance.

“It’s a matter of growing into the game. We had very good spells on the ball. We were finding good gaps in the middle.”

The result sees Bournemouth move, at least temporarily, into the top half of the Premier League table and closer to the European spots.

“It’s difficult for us but it’s true that we are not far. There are many teams in a good run without losing. Whoever gets the final two spots will finish in a big run of games.”

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