After Arsenal allowed ourselves to be second best to Southampton in terms of energy and effort all over the pitch on Boxing Day, the first thing that Arsene Wenger would have been looking for in the Premier League clash with Bournemouth was for the team to put that right.
And the Gunners definitely did that, helped perhaps by the four changes that the boss made to the starting line up. Oxlade-Chamberlain was lively both going forwards and tracking back on the right flank while Gibbs looked determined to make a point at left back.
And after an early mistake almost allowed the visiting team in, Calum Chambers set about his task of replacing Flamini with great verve and determination. But the most impressive of the incoming Arsenal players was Gabriel. The Brazilian was on it from the first minute and so it was fitting that he got the opening goal from an Ozil corner after good work from the Ox to win it.
He nearly got another soon after as well but this time Boruc got a touch and Mertesacker put the rebound agonisingly wide. Boruc then denied the excellent Walcott after another great ball from Ozil but at least we were looking better and leading going into the break.
And after Gabriel produced a great last ditch tackle to stop a Bournemouth break soon after the restart, Arsenal took control again and it seemed to be only a matter of time before we extended our lead. That time came just after the hour and it was an Ozil masterclass, with the German involved from the start and then on hand with a slick finish after a typical Giroud flick.
The French striker really should have gone on to get his own goal, with both Ramsey and Ozil setting him up but it was not his night and he looked pretty tired when Campbell replaced him in the 80th minute. Bournemouth had plenty of the ball but were never really close to stopping Petr Cech finally grabbing that Premier League clean sheet record.
Arsenal could have scored more but do we care? Do we chuff because we are now looking down from the top of the EPL table.