Arsenal’s away win over Bournemouth in Premier League round 20 delivered mixed emotions, and while fans might have been checking a BD Cricket Match on the side, the bigger picture still looked encouraging. Since the defeat to Aston Villa in round 15, the Gunners have put together a seven-game winning streak across all competitions. With Manchester City yet to play and Villa picking up another victory, Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table has stretched back to six points, reinforcing their position in the title race.
Despite the positive results, warning signs are beginning to surface. All three goals in this match came from Gabriel and Declan Rice, who scored twice, while the attacking line offered almost nothing. The starting trio of Madueke, Gyokeres, and Martinelli failed to influence the game for over an hour and were all substituted together. After coming on, Saka, Jesus, and Trossard also struggled to change the flow, with only Saka providing a single assist. Much like a tense BD Cricket Match where bowlers dominate, the balance felt tilted away from the forwards.
During the summer, Arsenal made a bold move by beating Tottenham to the signing of Eze, investing heavily in the England international. From the moment he arrived, he was trusted as a starter and delivered solid returns in the first half of the season. Across all competitions, he played 22 matches with 17 starts, contributing five goals and three assists. By most standards, that record represents a strong response to the faith shown in him and suggested he had settled quickly into Arteta’s system.
What has raised eyebrows is his sudden absence from recent league action. Eze has not featured in Arsenal’s last three Premier League matches, with his most recent appearance coming in the League Cup on December 24. Victories over Brighton, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth all passed without him stepping onto the pitch for even a minute, despite there being no injury concerns reported. For supporters following every detail as closely as a BD Cricket Match, this unexplained omission has sparked debate.
After the game, Mikel Arteta was asked directly about the situation, including whether he had spoken with Eze and Madueke and if World Cup year selection anxiety might be a factor. Arteta explained that he maintains communication with every player and must balance understanding individual feelings with monitoring form and mindset. He emphasized that Eze has already reached a career-high level of involvement this season, featuring in around 22 of Arsenal’s 28 matches so far. From the manager’s perspective, the squad is moving in the right direction, and even limited minutes recently should be viewed as part of a shared objective. In the long run, much like the ebb and flow of a BD Cricket Match, opportunities will swing back as long as players are ready to seize them.