Cherries’ Set-Piece Magic Stuns Gunners: Iraola’s Vision and Bournemouth’s Bright Future
Bournemouth has handed a defeat to Arsenal both at home and way in the Premier League this season. Following their 2-1 second-half comeback victory over the Gunners on Saturday, the Cherries have now left Mikel Arteta’s side just four points behind Manchester City.
Andoni Iraola who took over Bournemouth in 2023 has had a turning season. Surpassing his first season’s tally with three more games to go this season, Iraola’s side has 50 points as they stand eighth in the table.
Bournemouth will face Aston Villa and Manchester City in their next two games. Starting the bog fixtures on a high, Manager Iraola respected the importance of this win over Arsenal.
Expressing the tight schedule towards the end of the the campaign, and the significance of the points, Iraola in his post-game interview said,
“I think we needed this one. Given our schedule Arsenal, Manchester City and Villa, getting the points from Arsenal, we missed a couple of chances the other day and we needed this one to go our way”
Reflecting on their comeback at the Emirates, Iraola continued:
“I like the game overall. I think we had a chance. They scored but we played well. The key was the set plays in the second half. In the end in these close games making the difference with the set plays was the key to taking the three points.
Bournemouth started with three changes in their lineup today. Their star centre-back Dean Huijisen showed up to the big occasion. Huijsen who scored the opener for the Cherries has been one of the most consistent players in the English League. The youngster also picked his fourth POTM trophy in the PL this season.
Iraola after a dream season in the Premier League 2024/25 has sparked several rumours in recent weeks. With the turnaround in the players of Bournemouth since his arrival, former Cherries player
Jamie Redknapp had high praise for Iraola. Reflecting on what can a manager offer and how the Spanish manager has impacted Bournemouth, Redknapp on Sky Sports said:
“He came at Bournemouth, he did so well so quickly. There would be a lot of clubs looking and thinking, he ticks every box. Iraola improves players day in and day out, that’s all you could ask from a manager”
With Iraola’s recent success, clubs like Tottenham Hotspur has been linked heavily to the manager in recent weeks. However, with the turnaround at Bournemouth, the board at Cherris are reported to be comfortable with Iraola staying.
Keeping an unbeaten record against Arsenal in the Premier League, the Cherries will face Aston Villa next. They will look to cut the seven-point deficit as they host Unai Emery’s eight-place Villa.
Arsenal who suffered their second home defeat this season will miss out on creating momentum ahead of their second leg against PSG. After trailing by one goal follwing the first-leg defeat at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta and his side will try to rely on redemption sentiment next week.
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