The superstar duo were too slick for the Cherries, with the winger scoring the first goal, and the captain running the game from midfield.

Arsenal avoided a potential banana skin on the south coast to beat Bournemouth 4-0, and they barely needed to get out of second gear.

Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal's opener, reacting quickest in the box after Gabriel Jesus headed Martin Odegaard's superb cross against the post. The second then came after some clever forward play from Eddie Nketiah, drawing Max Aarons into a sliding challenge in the area, and winning a penalty. Odegaard scored the spot-kick, sending Neto the wrong way from 12 yards.

Odegaard won Arsenal's second penalty early in the second half, and Kai Havertz stepped up to score his first goal for the Gunners. Ben White then added a fourth in injury-time with a powerful header.

Saka did limp off late on, which will be a significant concern for Mikel Arteta as the Gunners prepare for a week that will see them face Lens in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Vitality Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (6/10):

Made his first save in the final minute of the first half, saving from Christie to maintain his clean sheet. Gabriel and Saliba often snuffed out any danger before it could reach him.

Ben White (7/10):

Barely challenged and was often allowed to carry the ball up the pitch. Scored the fourth in injury-time with a powerful header after Odegaard's superb free-kick.

William Saliba (7/10):

Excellent early challenge on Solanke denied Bournemouth striker in front of goal. Kept the striker in his pocket for the duration, as the Gunners kept a well-deserved clean sheet.

Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):

Superb tackle denied Billing in the area on the stroke of half-time. Stood up to everything Bournemouth threw at him.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10):

Slammed an effort at goal and forced a good save from Neto. Constantly up and down the flank, creating chances, and never tested defensively.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Martin Odegaard (9/10):

Whipped a superb cross into the box before Arsenal's first and scored the second from the penalty spot, sending Neto the wrong way after Nketiah was fouled. Won the penalty from which Havertz scored the third and assisted White's late header. Back to his best after a poor performance in last week's north London derby.

Declan Rice (6/10):

Tidy, often dropping deep to receive the ball from the defence. As elegant a player as you can get, and he continually resisted Bournemouth's press.

Kai Havertz (7/10):

Booked for a reckless tackle on Billing in the first half but put it behind him to score the third from the spot.. Arsenal will hope his goal leads to an uptick in his confidence and performances. Subbed late on.

Getty ImagesAttack

Bukayo Saka (8/10):

Scored Arsenal's first, reacting quickest after Jesus' header rebounded to him. Continually got beyond his marker, and never stopped working. In this form, he's nearly unstoppable. That he limped off late on will be a worry for Arteta.

Eddie Nketiah (6/10):

Always willing to make a run and won the penalty, drawing Aarons into a silly challenge in the area. Couldn't score himself, but a constant threat, and caused Bournemouth plenty of headaches before his substitution.

Gabriel Jesus (6/10):

His header rebounded off the woodwork and dropped to Saka for Arsenal's first goal. Wanted the ball consistently, although he did not have the chances needed to get on the scoresheet himself.

Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10):

On for Zinchenko. Had barely anything to do.

Reiss Nelson (5/10):

Replaced Nketiah but couldn't match his energy up front.

Fabio Vieira (6/10)

Replaced Saka after he appeared to pick up an injury.

Emile Smith-Rowe (5/10)

On for goalscorer Havertz. Should have scored in a one-on-one but sent the ball wide.

Jorginho (6/10):

Replaced Rice late on.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

As comfortable an afternoon as he'll have. Arsenal overpowered Bournemouth and could have won the game by an even more convincing margin. He will be delighted.