Shot-shy Gunners do just enough but Emery unhappy

– Arsenal manager Unai Emery admitted his side must be self-critical of their performance despite edging up to third in the Premier League as David Luiz’s first goal for the club earned a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Gunners had just two shots on target and were lucky to survive in the second half as Callum Wilson spurned a huge chance to equalise for Bournemouth.

“We are very happy with that result. I’m very proud with our work in the first half, but we are very critical with ourselves,” said Emery.

“We spoke before the game that if we’d win, we would be third in the table and for our confidence it was important.

“Maybe in the second half, we were winning 1-0, we were struggling more than we wanted and maybe in some moments we felt pressure.”

It was at least an afternoon of relief for Luiz (right), who has been a figure of fun for a host of defensive errors early in his Arsenal career after making the switch across London from Chelsea in August. However, the Brazilian is always a threat at the other end of the field and rose highest to head home Nicolas Pepe’s corner on nine minutes.

Pepe has struggled to match the expectations of his club-record £72 million transfer fee since his move from Lille, but was told by Emery to embrace the pressure of that price tag and the Ivorian was in the mood to impress.

Twice Arsenal had penalty appeals for fouls on Pepe by Diego Rico waved away.

However, it was Bournemouth who arguably had the best chance to add to the scoring before halftime when Dominic Solanke headed a Rico free-kick wide.

The visitors were certainly the more threatening side after the break and will rue heading back to the south coast with nothing to show for their efforts. –