IT USED to be such an iconic scoreline in the 1980s and ’90s that it became a running joke among fans. But the manner in which Arsenal nicked their narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth yesterday — propelling the north Londoners up to third in the Premier League table and one point behind champions Manchester City — was by no means “vintage” Arsenal.

Centre back David Luiz’s first goal for the Gunners since his summer transfer from Chelsea was the only difference between the sides in a largely uninspiring affair at Ashburton Grove, but even that couldn’t mask a distinctly below-par performance.

Although quick to acknowledge his side’s lack of quality, manager Unai Emery could at least breathe a sigh of relief after his defence — much-maligned recently for a catalogue of costly individual errors — managed their first clean sheet in the league since the season’s opening weekend.