MANAGER Eddie Howe has told striker Benik Afobe to treat his Arsenal reunion “like any other game”.

Afobe will face the Gunners on Sunday for the first time since he left the Emirates for Wolves in January 2015.

The 22-year-old, who joined Cherries for a club record £9million last month, bagged his third goal in as many games to set up Tuesday’s win at Crystal Palace.

Londoner Afobe joined Arsenal as a six-year-old but left the club without making a first-team appearance. Howe said: “I think it is very dangerous to build up a game in your own mind.

“Yes, it is your former club but you have to approach it like any other game.

“You have to make sure you are motivated to perform but don’t try to do things that perhaps you can’t or wouldn’t normally.

“I’m sure knowing Benik, he won’t do that. He will just play his game.”

Asked about Afobe’s impact, Howe added: “You don’t sign a player if you don’t believe he is going to come in and have an impact on your team or your squad.

“I have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly he has molded with the group, how quickly he has grasped our philosophy and how quickly he has done the things we have wanted him to.

“His temperament is really good and he’s a very level-headed guy who works incredibly hard. He just wants to be successful so the signs are very good for the long term as well.”