ANDONI Iraola explained that Alex Scott was brought into his starting eleven against Arsenal to give the Cherries more time in both defence and attack.

The 21-year-old started only his second Premier League game this season against then-unbeaten Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium.

Scott was part of the Bournemouth side which frustrated their visitors in something of an arm wrestle in the early stages at Dean Court, with neither side creating many clear-cut chances.

But this changed when William Saliba was sent off after half an hour, as the Cherries gained control of the match.

Scott was substituted after 63 minutes for eventual goal scorer Ryan Christie, but he put in a strong shift in the middle of the park.

The Englishman was key for Bournemouth in breaking up Arsenal attacks – making important interceptions to disrupt the visitors.

He also made an impact going forward – on one occasion in the early exchanges, he picked the ball up in the Bournemouth half from a bouncing ball and drove into Arsenal territory, winning a free kick in a dangerous position around the visitors’ box.

Asked what the reasons for bringing Scott in from the start were, and what his instructions for the midfielder were, Iraola explained to the Daily Echo: “I think he has trained very well.

“Two, three days after the game he played in Bristol with England U21s, I think I've seen him lively. A moment where you feel the player is in a good place to start.

“I also had a reference against Arsenal. It was friendly [in pre-season], but he played very well, the friendly he had against Arsenal.

“We needed Alex to keep a little bit the ball sometimes against this opposition, you think more in the defensive side of how we are going to survive.

“But I think we needed players who could carry the ball. Give us some breath on the ball, win us some seconds for the others to at least attack with more numbers.

“And Alex, I think he has done well.”

Scott has made a total of eight appearances for Bournemouth in the league so far this season, starting against Nottingham Forest on the opening day as well as against Arsenal.

His other six have come off the bench, with the midfielder also starting in the Carabao Cup at West Ham, meaning he has been involved in every game so far this season for Bournemouth.