Lifesaver Kieffer won’t let his side sink like a stone
AT THE beach, Baywatch contenders were bravely diving into the Channel at the National Surf Lifesaving Championships.
The coast at Branksome Chine is one of the few shores to escape torrents of sewage pumped into our oceans by water companies.
In a previous incarnation, Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore was a lifeguard who made ends meet in between shifts on the non-league beat with Truro City and Dorchester Town.
And as they bid to defy bookies who have the Cherries as favourites for the drop, he’ll be much safer on his team’s relegation front line than rescuing bathers from polluted waves.
Moore fought hard to occupy the attention of Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel, throwing his weight around with the conviction of one who will soon be swapping Dorset’s golden sands for the dunes of Qatar at the World Cup with Wales.
His journey from parttime lifeguard and personal trainer to Premier League forward is a gratifying tale.
But on an idyllic evening at the Vitality, he lacked support and the hosts were soon out of their depth.
Martin Odegaard has been riding the crest of a wave since he took over as Arsenal captain, and his brace in the opening 11 minutes put the Gunners in buoyant mood.
In Amazon Prime’s ‘All Or Nothing: Arsenal’ documentary, Odegaard wisely stayed in the background. When the credits rolled, he was in the platoon of extras as his predecessor skipper, PierreEmerick Aubameyang, was cast as the bad guy.
On this evidence, the Gunners are well shot of the firebrand Frenchman.
Gabriel Jesus leads the Arsenal attack with verve and venom, and Oleksandr Zinchenko has taken to the left-back role like a duck to millpond waters.
But the most impressive aspect of Arsenal’s best start since 2004 has been the renaissance of midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Never mind Moore in his Speedos – when Xhaka threw his infamous strop and was stripped of the captain’s armband three years ago, even the great Pamela Anderson could not have rescued his spluttering Gunners career.
But the Swiss midfielder, who dubbed his manager Mikel Arteta “a freak... but in a positive way” because of his close attention to detail, is now a trusted lieutenant.
Playing in a more advanced role, Xhaka even found the space to roll an inviting pass into Saliba’s path for the defender to curl an exquisite finish into the top corner.
Tottenham top of the league at 2.30pm, Arsenal top of the pile by sunset? Yep, the Gunners are surfing the crest off a wave.
But despite Moore’s best efforts, Bournemouth will likely need lifeguards to keep heads above water when Baywatch gives way to the chill of midwinter.