CHERRIES’ miserable start to the Premier League campaign continued as they suffered a convincing 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.

A Danny Welbeck double along with a goal from Alexandre Lacazette meant Eddie Howe’s men remain without a point after four league fixtures.

Cherries made one change from the side that fell to an agonising 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City last time out.

Andrew Surman dropped to the bench in place of Ryan Fraser, who scored when the sides drew 3-3 in the league back in January.

Simon Francis, who picked up a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season at West Brom, returned to take a place on the bench.

Arsenal made three alterations from their line-up which was beaten heavily at Liverpool before the international break.

In came Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac and striker Lacazette to Arsene Wenger’s line-up.

Alexis Sanchez, who was heavily linked with a move away from the club during the transfer window, took a place on the bench.

It was Kolasinac who helped the hosts race into an early lead on six minutes.

The wing-back motored down the left flank and stood the ball up for Welbeck, whose effort came off his shoulder and fell into the net.

Another Arsenal move from the left then forced Asmir Begovic into making his first save of the afternoon. The Bosnian stopper parried Granit Xhaka’s powerful low drive out for a corner.

Having taken the early advantage, the Gunners knocked the ball around with swagger.

Some neat build-up on the edge of the box eventually saw Steve Cook foul Welbeck and Mesut Ozil’s free-kick was palmed away by Begovic, who flew to his right to keep the effort out.

Cherries tried to mount some offence as Cook’s long throw from the left was helped on by Nathan Ake, but the ball was comfortably gathered by Petr Cech.

But on 27 minutes it was 2-0 and the home side were cruising.

Ozil’s ball from deep was not dealt with by Ake, which allowed Welbeck to play in Lacazette, who made no mistake in applying a quality finish from the edge of the box.

The hosts then almost had a third before half-time when Begovic’s clearance was charged down by Welbeck.

The keeper did well to deny Lacazette on the follow-up and gave Tyrone Mings an earful for his initial pass back.

Cherries’ miserable first half was then made even more difficult, as Fraser, who had received treatment earlier in the contest, was forced off through injury.

He was replaced by Jordon Ibe.

Howe then looked to the bench at half-time and introduced Francis in place of Mings.

And Cherries came inches away from getting a goal back shortly after the break.

Ibe’s teasing cross from the right was headed against the post by Defoe, who also put the rebound just wide.

But on 50 minutes, the game was all but over, as Arsenal scored a third.

Aaron Ramsey played in Welbeck on the angle and the former Manchester United man calmly placed the ball into the far corner of the net to wrap the points up.

Wave after wave of Arsenal attacks continued with Wenger’s side full of confidence.

Ozil forced a sharp stop from Begovic at his near post before Welbeck’s chipped attempt dropped just wide.

Ibe was then fouled by Ozil as Cherries looked to pull a goal back, but after picking himself up, the former Liverpool winger fired well wide of the post.

Defoe was then replaced by Lys Mousset before Francis Coquelin’s strike at goal was charged down by Ake at the other end.

Mousset worked Cech with an effort from an acute angle and Joshua King's header was tipped over late on, but Cherries' losing league run continued.

Arsenal: Cech; Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey (Coquelin, 67), Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Welbeck (Sanchez, 75), Lacazette (Giroud, 75).

Unused subs: Mertesacker, Iwobi, Walcott, Ospina (g/k).

Bookings: None

Cherries: Begovic; S Cook, Ake, Mings (Francis, h-t); A Smith, Arter, Gosling, Daniels; King, Fraser (Ibe, 38); Defoe (Mousset, 71).

Unused subs: Boruc (g/k), Surman, L Cook, Pugh.

Bookings: Francis

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Attendance: 59,262