Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-1 with Alexis Sanchez scoring twice in Premier League clash

AN Alexis Sanchez brace helped Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-1 as Socceroo Brad Smith made his first start for his new Premier League club.

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, right, and Arsenal's Theo Walcott celebrate.

AN Alexis Sanchez brace helped Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-1 and keep within striking distance of league leaders Chelsea as Socceroo Brad Smith made his starting debut for the visitors.

While his own performance and that of Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici were solid, the result was not what Bournemouth needed as they stumbled to their third loss in four games.

Theo Walcott was also on target for Arsenal, scoring with a header as the Gunners overcame a contentious penalty that Callum Wilson converted in a fiercely fought game at the Emirates Stadium.

Having struggled offensively in recent weeks, Sanchez inspired Arsenal to produce some scintillating attacking play and avoid a third consecutive league draw.

Sanchez earned some heavy praise from manager Arsene Wenger for his performance. “Even when he looks dead (Sanchez) is still alive and finds the resources to do something special,” Arsenal manager Wenger said.

“We started well, but after they equalised we became nervous and that’s where you could see the draws played on our mind.” Bournemouth can take heart from a promising attacking display, which was delivered without Jack Wilshere, who was ineligible due to the terms of the midfielder’s loan from Arsenal.

Gabriel of Arsenal (L) tackles Brad Smith of AFC Bournemouth (R).

“I thought we were very good today, it’s very difficult when you go behind early in the game, but the group responded very well, with maturity,” Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said.

“Today when you look at the players we were without, the fact that we managed to produce the performance we did without them shows the quality in the squad.” Arsenal’s early intensity forced a mistake from Steve Cook in the 12th minute, as the Bournemouth defender’s back pass gifted Sanchez the chance to round Federici and calmly place the ball into the empty net.

Arsenal believed it should have had a penalty two minutes later but referee Michael Jones waved play on as Sanchez went down under a challenge from Nathan Ake.

The home fans were doubly aggrieved in the 25th when Jones awarded the visitors a penalty as Nacho Monreal and Wilson went shoulder to shoulder in the Arsenal box.

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, left, and Arsenal's Theo Walcott.

With Arsenal visibly rattled by the equaliser, Bournemouth spurned opportunities to take the lead, most notably when Adam Smith headed narrowly over when unmarked six yards out.

However, Wenger’s side began to rediscover its rhythm as Sanchez twice came close just before halftime, striking narrowly over after a neat exchange with Ozil before rattling the bar with a powerful effort from the right side of the box.

Arsenal began the second half as it ended the first and Monreal went some way to redeeming himself by supplying the cross for Walcott to restore Arsenal’s lead in the 53rd after good work from Sanchez and Ozil.

Sanchez then iced the game in the 90th minute to keep the Gunners three points behind league leaders Chelsea and in fourth.

Joining Arsenal on the winners list were Southampton, who gave former manager Ronald Koeman a return to St. Mary’s to forget when they beat his Everton side 1-0.

As disappointed as Koeman could have been he won;t have been the most upset manager of the day.

That honour went to Jose Mourinho, who was sent to the stands as his Manchester United side were held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford by lowly West Ham. The result means United are sixth on the ladder, 11 points adrift of Chelsea.

Originally published as Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-1 with Alexis Sanchez scoring twice in Premier League clash