EDDIE Howe is welcoming the selection headache presented to him by the “special” 1-0 victory at Stoke City.

Cherries boss Howe was forced to do without suspended right-back Adam Smith and the stricken Artur Boruc for the game in the Potteries.

But Nathan Ake and Adam Federici stepped into a hitherto unchanged Cherries back five to make decisive contributions towards their side’s first Premier League away win in eight attempts.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to Arsenal (2.15pm), Howe told the Daily Echo: “That’s the beauty of football. You want players to give you problems and headaches in terms of selection. I’ve always maintained that, so this will be a nice one to have.

“It’s a real confidence boost for everybody. It’s nice for the lads to come in. They’re very much part of my thinking and part of my plans but when you’re not actually in the team you can feel quite removed from it. So it will be a great feeling for them.

"Every win feels pivotal in this league, because they’re so rare. It’s our fourth win and they’re tough to get. Each one is very special so we’ll enjoy it, while knowing we have some tough challenges ahead."

While goalkeeper Federici recorded his team’s first clean sheet on their travels since February 27, Ake capped his sterling defensive performance by scoring the decisive goal at the bet365 Stadium.

Ake, who can fill a variety of roles, played at centre-half against Stoke. That enabled Simon Francis to move across to the right to cover for Smith. And Howe says it is a blessing to have such adaptable operators at his disposal.

“It’s vital you have players who can play in different positions,” added Cherries' manager. “They can give you that versatility.

"The pleasing thing is we lost an outstanding player in Adam Smith and the back four wasn’t affected. That should give us great confidence for the future."