At times it looked like it might not be our day, but in the end we did what mattered most and got all three points with a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth.
Alexis Sanchez struck either side of a Theo Walcott header as the Gunners extended their unbeaten run with 19 games in all competitions.
Callum Wilson scored Bournemouth's goal and the visitors were left wondering what might have been as, had they been given another penalty, things maybe could have been different. But, in truth, Arsenal deserved the win and are three points behind leaders Chelsea.
In some ways we look better equipped this year to be able to maintain a title challenge for longer, but I also wouldn't be surprised if we didn't. It is hard to call, but the main thing at the moment is our unbeaten run continues and we are back to winning ways after two consecutive league draws.
Although Arsenal deserved their win they opened the scoring in rather fortuitous circumstances. Sanchez seized on a poor underhit backpass from Steve Cook before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the empty net.
Some Arsenal fans felt Sanchez should have been given a penalty following a foul by Nathan Ake, but I felt personally the contact was just outside the box and both sides had for and against them in this one so I have no complaints.
Arsenal suffered a blow just minutes later when Mathieu Debuchy, who was making his first appearance since November 2015, was forced off with a hamstring problem and early indications are that it could be a serious injury. With Hector Bellerin also out injured this is worrying, but hopefully we can get through it.
Bournemouth levelled matters through Wilson's spot-kick after 23 minutes. I thought the penalty, which was given fouling Nacho Monreal's challenge in the box, was soft and more just shoulder to shoulder. But the Cherries saw another penalty shout waved away later following Shkodran Mustafi's push on Cook so maybe the decisions evened themselves out to an extent.
The visitors really should have taken the lead before the break. Bournemouth's players were unhappy by Laurent Koscielny's challenge on Harry Arter and, from the resulting free-kick, they will rue having not scored a goal. Junior Stanislas sent the ball in and, after Arsenal failed to clear the danger, Ake nodded it back across goal and Adam Smith somehow headed over when it looked easier to have scored.
Arsenal also missed a good chance before half-time as Sanchez's powerful strike hit the crossbar, but the Gunners made amends with their second goal of the afternoon within nine minutes of the restart. Mesut Ozil twisted defender Simon Francis inside and out before finding Monreal and the defender's inch-perfect first-time ball back over the top was headed home by Walcott.
Bournemouth maybe felt they had been denied a good chance of an equaliser following Monreal's alleged handball in the box. It did hit his hand, but I wonder how much he really could have done to prevent it and maybe a penalty would have been harsh. Either way, it was a relief to see nothing given.
The Cherries refused to give up and kept battling on and it took a fine save from Petr Cech to deny former Gunner Benik Afobe from close range 11 minutes from time.
It was a nervy end for Arsenal, but the victory was finally assured as Sanchez netted his second of the game in stoppage time. Substitute Olivier Giroud exchanged passes with Ozil before pulling the ball back for Sanchez to tap home.
It was a difficult game and credit to Bournemouth for never giving up but, while some may think our performance wasn't as good as it should have been, a win's a win and I'm more than happy with the result.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Bournemouth fan Tristan Chapman found plenty of reasons to be positive with the performance of his side despite the result.
"This was one of the key matches in the season for the Cherries," said Chapman. "An opportunity to see just how far we had come over the past season and visit one of the top stadiums in the country.
"It was always going to be a tough match and even more so with Wilshere sidelined due to his loan agreement with his parent club.
"None of us were disappointed by the game. We really took the game to Arsenal and showed that little Bournemouth are also capable of playing attractive attacking football. At times we out Arsenal'd Arsenal.
"If it wasn't for the slip by Cook early in the first half which allowed Sanchez an easy goal we could have been going into the break on top.
"The Bournemouth fans were in great voice throughout the match and lifted the volume for Nathan Ake, who was immense at the back once again, and probably deserved to be recognised as the MOTM.
"Great to see us get a goal at the Emirates, just a little disappointed that the scoreline didn't give a true reflection of the match.
"We were pick-pocketed a bit, outdone by class in the last third and a couple of dubious refereeing decisions (or lack of). Still it was a measure and we didn't come up too short so I think we all went home fairly happy after a Sunday afternoons entertainment.
"Can see why Wenger allowed Wilshere to come to Bournemouth. The synergies between the styles is evident. Howe is revered at Bournemouth and obviously Arsenal can see that he fits the mould as a future suitor for the AFC manager's role.
"I think we all hope that we will have bedded into the top flight before that approach comes, which if we carry on progressing the way we are, will undoubtedly happen. Still for now we're going to enjoy hob-nobbing with the big wigs and hopefully pick up enough points to give it another go next season. UTCIAD!!"
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Attention switches to the EFL Cup and our clash with Southampton before we return to league action with a tough derby clash at West Ham. We need to make sure we keep up the pace as, although the rest of the top four will drop more points as the season progresses, we need to do better at taking advantage when they do.
West Ham, Everton and Manchester City present us with three very tough league matches for our next three away outings so we need to make sure we are in good form if we are to stand a chance of getting a decent points tally over the next month.
But one thing's for sure, no matter what happens, I'll be 100% behind the boys and hope we can have a successful end to 2016.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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