Three things we learned from Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth – by Alan Alger

Super Tom’ a huge asset within the squad…

Although it’s extremely likely that Jurriën Timber will fulfil the lion’s share of the left back duties next season (fitness permitting), it cannot be underestimated how important Takehiro Tomiyasu has been to the shape of the squad in this campaign.

Our Japanese star was outstanding on Saturday as he nullified Bournemouth’s right-side threat with a minimum of fuss. He’s also making intelligent forward moves when the time is right and hopefully another set-piece goal is coming for him by the end of the season.

As the manager and the squad learn and grow, players like Tomiyasu are vitally important. They muck in and are ready to perform when called upon.

While the team can benefit from a settled XI it’s never as simple as that and his versatility will be a key strength from the bench next year when we want to see games out – or to provide others with a break.

He's averaging around 1000 minutes per season for us and you need those types to share the workload. Everyone has to pull their weight and Tomi continues to be a shining example.

We’re a constant threat…

A couple of key stats emerged after the game against Bournemouth and they relate to how much of a constant threat we are during matches.

Breaking the game down into six 15-minute periods, we have now scored at least ten goals within each of those sections across our Premier League matches.

Our biggest threat comes in the final 15 minutes (19 goals) - although those stats are slightly skewed by the increased amount of added time prevalent this season.

Declan Rice’s goal at the weekend coming on 96 minutes. It was our fifth strike after the 94th minute of a match this league season.

Being ahead at half-time is becoming a key milestone too. We’ve won all 17 games this Premier League campaign when we’ve had a half-time lead.

Which heaps as much praise on the defence as it does the attack.

It will mean more, but the chances are running low…

To take the title off such a ruthless machine as Manchester City will rank as one of the biggest achievements in the history of this great club.

It’s also an amazing achievement to go toe-to-toe with them across two whole seasons- especially with such a young squad and inexperienced manager.

Mikel Arteta will be the first to tell you that you don’t win trophies for that alone and his hunger will burn even brighter next season if City pip us.

While we’ve studied their remaining fixtures as much as our own, I feel they have had an extremely lucky break in terms of the teams they are facing.

Of course you have to play everyone twice and the fixture list is a completely fair system, but it cannot account with teams having something to play for or likely managerial changes or upheaval.

While we can all point fingers at Tottenham for limping towards the end of 2023-24, their players on their day might spring a shock, but more in the realms of a 3-4 or 4-5. Achieving even a draw with City with that defence looks a forlorn hope.

Fulham with one win in seven look to be dreaming of the beach.

Which brings us to City’s luckiest break of all.

It now seems almost certain that David Moyes will be on his way out of West Ham following the game at the Etihad on the final day.

Teams which lose a motivator, disciplinarian and organisational tactician tend to struggle, they struggle even more when the guy is yet to depart and his words ring hollow from the sidelines while he awaits his P45.

He deserves a great send off from his players but their recent results tell you he’s unlikely to get one.

Still, we just have to do our job and beat Manchester United and Everton.

The players and management team then deserve a huge lap of honour, whether that’s holding the trophy or not.