Mikel Arteta praised Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive as Kai Havertz and Declan Rice both shone in a comfortable win over Bournemouth that keeps the Gunners top of the Premier League.
Arsenal are potentially two wins away from winning their league title in 20 years after seeing off a spirited Cherries side at the Emirates Stadium.
A Bukayo Saka penalty, won by Havertz, set the hosts on their way to a 3-0 win, which was wrapped up be a Leandro Trossard strike assisted by Rice, who then smashed home in added time to add the gloss to the scoreline.
A goal and an assist for the Premier League POTM, Declan Rice ⭐️
Shot on Pixel 🤳 pic.twitter.com/pDxeje1bPd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 4, 2024
The destiny of the title remains out of Arsenal’s hands as reigning champions Manchester City have a game in hand but all Arteta’s side can do at this stage is win their remaining fixtures.
In recent weeks Havertz has impressed as Arteta’s defacto centre-forward, while only Kevin De Bruyne has more assists in 2024 than Rice – the £105million club-record signing from West Ham who continues to perform at the highest level.
Add to that David Raya winning the golden glove for the most clean sheets following his loan move from Brentford and Arsenal’s summer window is starting to prove to be a shrewd one.
And there''s so much more to @daviidraya1 than just clean sheets 😍 pic.twitter.com/lVp7ypRZRc
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 4, 2024
Asked how high the signings have raised the ceiling at Arsenal, Arteta replied: “A lot.
“If we spend money we’d better do it wisely and in the most effective way. We’re really happy with the recruitment that we had. It had a big impact in the team, it has raised not only the level of the team but the level of the rest of the players as well.
“You see today we had some big performances from a lot of individuals, if we want to be at this stage then you need that.”
Arsenal dominated a first half in which they broke the deadlock with their 16th shot, Saka coolly slotting home from the spot after Havertz was adjudged to have been tripped by Mark Travers.
“It was probably the best first half we’ve played all season,” added Arteta – whose side face Manchester United at Old Trafford next week before hosting Everton on the final day.
“We were unbelievable – everything flowing, super composed on the ball. We generated so many chances, we could have gone three, four, five (up) easily and we didn’t.”
Bournemouth will feel hard done by as the Havertz penalty award was a contentious one, as was the decision to rule out an Antoine Semenyo effort for a shove by Dominic Solanke on Raya with the score at 2-0.
Andoni Iraola conceded his team did not deserve to leave north London with the three points but suggested he may have to start asking his players to look for decisions as he fumed at the Havertz call.
“First of all, I have to say that Arsenal deserved to win,” he said.
“But I don’t think the game should have gone the way it did, with the penalty decisions. For me, Kai Havertz is the one trying to find the contact.
“If we are giving penalties for this, then as a coach I have to say ‘look for the contact’.”
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes described it as her “best title” after her side were once again crowned Women’s Super League champions having thrashed Manchester United 6-0 at Old Trafford in the final game of her tenure.The Blues finished top on goal difference ahead of second-placed Manchester City – 2-1 winners at Aston Villa – to make it five league titles in a row.It tak...
Des Buckingham pledged to try and keep Oxford hero Josh Murphy as the Wembley-born star scored twice in Oxford’s 2-0 play-off final victory over Bolton to earn promotion to the SkyBet Championship.Murphy’s first-half double sent United back into the second tier for the first time in a quarter of a century.The 29-year-old winger is now out of contract but Buckingham hopes Oxford’s...
Kevin O’Hara scored twice as Hamilton secured a place in next season’s cinch Scottish Championship by relegating Duncan Ferguson’s Inverness after a 3-2 play-off final victory.The visitors, who carried a 2-1 first leg lead into the game at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, could hardly have got off to a better start when they found themselves 2-0 up on the night within 12 minutes o...
Wembley-born Josh Murphy fired Oxford United back to the Skybet Championship for the first time in 25 years as he scored both goals in his team’s 2-0 League One play-off final victory over favourites Bolton.Londoner Murphy’s first double in nearly five years came in the opening half as Des Buckingham’s side joined champions Portsmouth and Derby in the English second tier next sea...
Stranraer beat East Kilbride 3-1 after extra time at Stair Park to secure their cinch League Two status with a 5-3 aggregate win in the Pyramid play-off final.Lowland League champions East Kilbride had fought out a 2-2 draw in the first leg, but two late goals in extra time from Craig Ross and teenager Aiden Gilmartin proved enough to see the Blues retain their place in the Scottish Professional F...
Emma Hayes signed off as Chelsea boss in style as her side claimed a fifth successive Women’s Super League title with a 6-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford, finishing ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.Having started the final day of a thrilling title race with the same amount of points as City and a goal difference superior by two, Chelsea tore into their task agains...
Brendan Rodgers made sure he savoured trophy day at Celtic Park after getting his hands on the cinch Premiership silverware again.The champions rounded off their league campaign with a 3-2 win over St Mirren before Santa Claus delivered the trophy – six months after being booed while doing the half-time prize draw during a defeat by Hearts.They will aim to get their hands on another trophy n...
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. Xabi & Wenger Golden shield & Golden Trophy POV- Emi Martinez alone made Aston Villa qualify for UCL: PURE CINEMA! Tag a FC BARCELONA FAN & SAY NOTHING... emmmm When Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo met for the first time at Real Madrid, 2013 BAYER LEVERKUSEN COMPLETE AN INVINCIBLE BUNDESLIGA SEASON Please stay tuned on 7M Daily Laugh. ...
Arne Slot has confirmed to the Dutch media that he will replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager. Klopp is preparing for his final game as the Reds boss on Sunday, when he will lead Liverpool out against Wolves at what is sure to be an emotionally-charged Anfield. The German announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the club after nine years in charge, with the club working to appoint ...
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists they've improved this season.United are in danger of missing European qualification this term.But Ten Hag argues: "When you look at the results, you would say no. But we know the reasons behind that, so I would say yes."We have more high-quality players in the squad so, from that perspective, we are in a better position."Manchester United is a very attra...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marc Skinner wants to stay at Manchester United after ‘historic’ FA Cup win
- 3 Sterling considering leaving the club
- 4 Alex Scott looks stunning in bold see-through outfit
- 5 Marcus Rashford's new £700,000 Rolls Royce Wraith revealed
- 6 Major Liverpool star still an option for Real
- 7 Mourinho to join Fenerbahce?
- 8 My footballer husband is unemployed but I can still contribute 50p
- 9 Celtic run riot against Kilmarnock to win another Premiership title
- 10 Ian Murray says Raith will improve for play-off final after shootout success