Arsenal made light work of poor Bournemouth side, running out easy winners at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.

Pre-match, Arsene Wenger produced what was probably the most well-regarded team of this season.

Without trying to shoehorn the Ox into the side, we automatically looked more balanced. Could it be that Liverpool paid us £40m to start Kolasinac and improve our team?

Alexis was benched but few seemed surprised, or that bothered. His love affair with the Arsenal fans is well and truly on the rocks.

So how did the players do individually?

Well, here’s a clue…there’s not much variation in these ratings this week.

Defence

Petr Cech 7

Put Jermain Defoe on his arse with a drag back inside his own box but was almost beaten by the head of the same player, only to be saved by his post. Other than that, had little to do until the very end of the match when he tipped one over to preserve his cleansheet.

Shkodran Mustafi 7

If this is Mustafi unhappy, I hope we do more to make him miserable. Organising the men around him, he was composed and continues to confuse everyone who hears that Arsene Wenger reportedly doesn’t rate him.

Laurent Koscielny 7

Much more like his usual self but was little troubled like the rest of the defence.

Nacho Monreal 7

Much better on the left of a back three and with Kolasinac ahead of him that left side is pretty solid.

Next, midfield

Midfield

Hector Bellerin 6

Offered far less than his counterpart on the other side and is still nowhere near the player that prompted Arsenal to offer him a six-year deal. With reports around that he asked to leave in the summer, could it be his head is elsewhere?

Granit Xhaka 7

His full range was on display against Bournemouth who offered him more time and space than he’s been used to lately.

Aaron Ramsey 7

Still doesn’t have the discipline to play as part of a pair but his industry makes things happen. Happily involved around the edge of the Bournemouth box with regularity. Was replaced by Francis Coquelin with one eye to the knock he carried into the international break

Sead Kolasinac 8

He starts in the right position, he creates goals. Coincidence? Solid, strong, aware, and free.

Next, forwards

Forwards

Mesut Ozil 8

Only a brilliant Begovic save denied him a beautiful free-kick goal as he covered every blade of grass against the Cherries. Pre-assist for Lacazette’s goal with a lovely pass, he was often found running in behind and running back to help win back possession.

Danny Welbeck 9 MOTM

His first Premier League double, Danny scored as many goals in this game as he got in the whole of last season’s league campaign. His first finish was Dannyesque, coming off his head and shoulder but there was no mistake about his second. A cool finish, he slotted it home like a proper striker. Add in an assist and some great defensive work and it’s not hard to see why he is my Man of the Match. Was replaced by Alexis Sanchez.

Alexandre Lacazette 8

Showing he’s not just about the goals, Laca was linking up brilliantly with his teammates. This dude hardly ever loses the ball. He became only the second Arsenal player to score in his first two home games after the esteemed Marouane Chamakh with an absolute belter. Replaced by Giroud and not overly happy about it.

Next, subs

Subs

Francis Coquelin 5

On for his 100th Premier League match, only a deflection stopped him scoring his first goal. With all three subs used, his hamstring then exploded.

Olivier Giroud 6

Hit the keeper with what I think was his first touch and got himself into a number of good positions only for the final ball to let him down.

Alexis Sanchez 5

Came on to a mixed reaction that, while sounding more positive than anything on the TV, was not as rapturous as it would have been last season. The Daily Cannon team inside the ground reported, however, that he was welcomed by ‘massive boos’.

Combined well with Giroud but was often far too deep to be a danger to the Bournemouth goal, trying to play provider, mostly to Giroud.

Next, referee

Referee

Anthony Taylor isn’t well liked around these parts, but Arsenal’s record under him is surprisingly good.  It’s not hard to understand why we don’t like him, even given that. He is unable to read the game and allow an advantage when it actually matters. Apart from that, he had little to do as neither side gave him any problems.

Next, any other business?

Any other business?

Will Theo Walcott ever get back into the side? Does it mater? Probably not.