A brace from Alexis Sanchez helped Arsenal overcome a spirited Bournemouth side at the Emirates stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners had taken an early lead through Sanchez, but in-keeping with their difficult month, they were pegged back by Callum Wilson's controversially awarded penalty.
Having not won a match for the whole of November, boos rang around the stadium at half-time but they soonbecame a distant memory, when Walcott and Sanchez gave the home side a two goal advantage to seal an important three points.
Arsene Wenger made an incredible seven changes to his side following the midweek draw with PSG -Mathieu Debuchy made his first Premier League startsince November 2015, whilst Petr Cech, Granit Xhaka and Nacho Monreal were among those returning to the side.
The visitors were dealt a blow when Artur Boruc and Andrew Surman failed late fitness tests. Adam Federici remained in goal and Brad Smith was chosen to fill the void left by the ineligible Jack Wilshere.
As expected Arsenal saw the bulk of the early possession and whilst it looked like Bournemouth had the solidity to keep them at bay, a catastrophic mistake gifted the hosts an early lead.
Steve Cook's under-hit backpass to his goalkeeperwas snatched up by Sanchez, who rolled the ball past the hapless Federici in what may be the simplest goal the Chilean will score all season.
Alexis Sanchez ends a run of 4 games without scoring, his 51st goal for Arsenal. Has scored 14 in last 22 PL starts pic.twitter.com/zqUzUGW9sq
To their credit, the Cherries responded to the setback by seeing plenty of the ball and were awarded a controversial penalty, when Callum Wilson and Monreal collided in the area.
Despite the home sides' protestations, the Bournemouth striker picked himself up to score the subsequent spot kick and bring the scores level.
With their spirits up, the visitors started to play with some swagger and went close to taking the lead,twice in quick succession. Adam Smith saw his header fly over the bar beforenamesake, Brad, had a close range effortpalmed away by Cech.
Arsenal responded with half chances of their own, both Mohamed Elneny and Sanchez blazing over from good positions.
The home side appeared to have weathered the storm and ended the first period well and truly on the front foot, as Sanchez went close again when herattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort.
Arsenal: Remain the only team yet to be losing at half-time in a Premier League match this season #ARSBOU
The Gunners started the second-half in much the same fashion and were rewarded for their persistent pressure when they retook the lead.
With the ball bouncing andflying around the penalty area,Monreal's cushioned cross was met by the unmarked Walcott, who headed into the netto end his recent goal drought.
Again, the Cherries rallied to going a goal behind and started to see more of the ball. Former Arsenal striker Benik Afobe was brought on as the away side started to push higher up the pitch, in search of an equaliser.
Bournemouth were aggrieved when Simon Francis' chipped pass appeared to be handled by Monreal in the host's penalty area but the referee waived away their appeals for a penalty.
Afobe then went close to equalisingwhen he prodded a close range effort at goal. Thankfully for Arsenal,Cech's outstretched boot denied the striker and preserved his team's precarious one-goal advantage.
76: SAVE!!! A corner falls to Afobe in the box and from inside the six yard box, somehow Cech saves!! #ARSBOU
Although the hosts were happy to sit back, they were still offering a threat going forward with substitutes Olivier Giroud and Ramsey both miscuing efforts wide of goal.
Bournemouth continued to push for their second but were inevitably punished late on, when Sanchez turned home Giroud's cutback, to seal an important 3-1 victory for the Gunners.
The win means Arsenal go four points clear of North London rivals Tottenham in fourth place, whilst defeat for the Cherries means they drop into the bottom half of the table and sit 11th.
The wait is over - here's our team for #AFCvBOU pic.twitter.com/7yO2HGBRQN
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TEAM NEWS: Two changes. @bradsmith_94 and @AdamSmith912 are in the starting XI for our game at @Arsenal.#afcb � pic.twitter.com/U5chfDEBnf