Premier League: Sanchez Double Keeps Arsenal In Touch
By Andah John
Arsenal are back to winning ways as Alexis Sanchez scored twice and Theo Walcott scored in-between to secure victory over Bournemouth.
The Gunners were under pressure to turn things around, having played three consecutive draws. And with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City winning on Saturday, a win was crucial.
Sanchez finds the net
They took the lead when Steve Cook’s poor back-pass allowed Sanchez to calmly put the ball past keeper Adam Federici.
Bournemouth, however, levelled matters when Callum Wilson put away a spot kick after referee Mike Jones judged the striker was fouled by Nacho Monreal.
The visitors could have even gone ahead after they missed two good chances when an unmarked Adam Smith headed over before Brad Smith had an angled shot saved.
Woodwork denies Sanchez
Later Arsene Wenger’s side almost restored their lead when a Sanchez strike came off the crossbar.
But Walcott did find the net moments later as he headed home Monreal’s cross.
Monreal could have hand Bournemouth another penalty when a Simon Francis pass struck him on the arm in the box. Petr Cech was later on hand to deny Benik Afobe a goal when he made a crucial save.
At this point, the fans at the parked Emirates stadium were nervous as the Gunners held a slim lead.
But the fans would later raise the roof when Sanchez slotted in an Olivier Giroud cross, moving the Gunners three points behind top-flight leaders Chelsea and two behind Liverpool and City.
