Mikel Arteta has expressed his desire for 'a different game' to last season's 3-2 victory over the Cherries.

One of the Gunners' many frantic matches in last season's title run in, Philip Billing opened the scoring within the first 20 seconds after catching Arsenal off-guard from kick-off.

Bournemouth then doubled their lead through Marcos Senesi after 57 minutes from a corner, leaving Arsenal likely to drop three massive points in the title race.

However, Arsenal staged an incredible come back victory, courtesy of goals from Ben White, Thomas Partey and an unforgettable winner from substitute Reiss Nelson; sending the Emirates into ecstasy.

It was games like last season's meeting that eventually cost Arteta's side, with the emotion-filled, rollercoaster-like nature of games catching up with them.

This season has seen a noticeable change. Arsenal are more composed. More structured. Less erratic. They look more assured all around.

Arsenal are able to welcome back defender Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman has been out of action since suffering a torn ACL on the opening weekend of the season.

Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez serves the second game of a three-match ban.

While Antoine Semenyo is a doubt because of a knee injury, with Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier also likely absentees.

The Gunners'have won three Premier League matches on the bounce, following their 2-0 loss to Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium last month.

A 2-0 win over Wolves was followed up by their last match at home, a memorable 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea.

Sunday's 3-2 victory over North London rivals Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will give Arteta's side all the momentum they could have hoped for going into the final three fixtures of the season.

Here are the five main takeaways from his press conference:

  • On last seasons victory over Bournemouth

Last seasons 3-2 victory over Bournemouth was as hard-fought as they come.

It was a victory that will live long in the memory of Arsenal fans.

At the time, it felt like it could be a point that gives Arsenal the momentum they need to get their first Premier League title in almost 20 years over the line.

When asked if he'd like to see a more boring game than last season, Arteta responded: "I have a different game in my head for tomorrow but we are going to have to perform really well tomorrow and be our best.

"If we do that, we have a really good chance of winning the game."

  • On Declan Rice coming second in the Football Writers' Awards

After a stellar first campaign at the club, Rice was named as runner-up in this seasons Football Writers' Awards. 

After joining for a club record £105million, the 25-year-old has established himself as an integral part of the Arsenal team. 

The England international has been so influential, that his sizeable price tag has rarely been spoken of; with Gunners fans jokingly chanting 'Declan Rice, we got him half price'.

Arteta said: "He’s been great. He’s had such an impact from day one. It’s not easy when you come from a club that you’ve been at for a long time, but he settled really good.

"It’s a great group and I think they’ve been really supportive with him as well. There are players that just come in and glide and become part of it straight away.

"I remember a conversation I had with him when we were still in the US in pre-season and he was [with us for] eight, nine days, and he said ‘it feels like I’ve been here for two years'."

With the return of Thomas Partey to full fitness, it has allowed for Rice to have a level of freedom in the midfield. Freeing him to make his lung-busting surges forward and use his physical presence to great affect at the other end of the pitch.

With six goals and seven assists, it is his highest season in terms of goal contributions in his Premier League career.

Sunday's victory over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur was doubly sweet for Arteta, as he became the youngest manager in Premier League history to achieve 100 wins.

It is a remarkable achievement for the 42-year-old, especially given the difficult start he had to life when returning to the club as manager. 

When asked about the achievement, Arteta said, "That’s a contribution from a lot of people that in this journey have been extremely supportive and obviously it helps you to win games, so gratitude towards that and it’s just hopefully the beginning of something much bigger that can bring trophies. This is what we want."

  • How the group has developed this season

Much was made of last seasons dramatic collapse from Arsenal. With the title in their grasp, they undoubtedly faltered.

But it was the first time that the majority of Arteta's young squad were involved in a title race.

A year on, and with the experience of last season still lurking in the back of their minds, Arsenal look a side determined to make that next step. Much more composed and considered in their play, it seems only a matter of time until they get over the line with a major trophy.

When asked on the improvements his side has made this season, Arteta said, "Some of them are noticeable but some are as well related to what is happening in games. It is different what is happening.

"Last year at Spurs as well we had a very different game to the one we had in previous years or against any other rivals, but we managed the situation quite well.

"It could’ve been better and there’s room for improvement but I think the team is more mature. Obviously the health and condition of the squad is in a much better place right now and all these factors I think contribute to being in a better position."

  • On the return of Jurrien Timber

Much was anticipated coming into the season of Timber. Arguably the standout performer in pre-season, it looked as if Timber was set to play an integral role for his side this season.

After an ACL injury in the opening game of the season at home to Nottingham Forest, Timber has been unavailable.

However, the 22-year-old is available to make his return from injury against Bournemouth, having played 45 and 70 minutes for the Under-21's in recent weeks.

Arteta was asked whether Timber's return could give his team a lift.

He said: "It does because it increases the quality of the training sessions. You see how commanding he is, his leadership and his quality, and the rest have to lift it up.

"They start to demand more from each other and they look at each other and say: ‘I better be good because I want to keep playing.’ These are very positive for the squad."

With Arsenal kicking-off at 12:30, they know that they will be able to heap the pressure on Manchester City, ahead of their 5:30 kick-off against Wolves at the Etihad.