Arteta did not rule out more “firepower”, as he described it, but the big early investment seems to have paid off, especially with Jesus. It certainly means that the pressure is off for the end of the transfer window in a way it simply is not at, for example, Manchester United and has not been in previous slow starts for Arsenal. One only had to see the away fans singing in the sunshine to know that, at the very least, it meant something. What did a place at the top of the Premier League at the end of August represent for the club? “It doesn’t mean anything,” Arteta said, with the customary bluntness, but even his single-mindedness did not feel entirely convincing. Not since the 2004-05 season have they won all three opening games. The next two games – both at home – against Fulham and Aston Villa are the chance for them to build real momentum. The team has remained the same for the first three games of the season for the first time since 2003-2004, and at this rate there is no need for Arteta to change it. It is a young team with much potential and the strong bench included starters from last season like Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu who are now fighting for their places. They never looked anything other than comfortable. William Saliba, the new jewel of the Arsenal defence, polished up by his long apprenticeship as a loanee, dispatched the third goal with the sweet connection of a regular midfield goalscorer. His new captain Martin Odegaard scored twice in the first 15 minutes. His marquee striker signing Gabriel Jesus looked a cut above the rest.
This is Arteta’s Arsenal team – his players and his style – and they delivered for him in dominant fashion. The three wins over Crystal Palace, Leicester City and this one in Bournemouth will be followed by harder tests this season and yet it is often the more straightforward opposition that have tripped up Arsenal teams. It has taken around £350million in transfer fees, various admonishments captured by the documentary cameras, and some false starts – but they certainly look competitive. They are back there now, for one day at least, with Mikel Arteta in charge and a spring in the step of a team that had been remodelled. The last time Arsenal were top of the Premier League after more than one game played was a very different era and, indeed, so much has changed since Dec 10, 2016, when a strong start to the season put Arsene Wenger’s side in contention for glory before the inevitable post-Christmas collapse. Arsenal start season with three straight league wins for first time since 2004.William Saliba scores first Arsenal goal with a peach.Martin Odegaard scores early double after brilliant work from Gabriel Jesus.
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