Aubameyang goal secure Arsenal 3 points
Eddie Howe's side had recovered from Jefferson Lerma's remarkable own goal, the Colombian inadvertently volleying beyond his own goalkeeper from the edge of the box (30), as Josh King deservedly curled them level on the stroke of half-time (45+1).
But the Gunners produced a belated moment of attacking quality midway through the second half when Alex Iwobi and Sead Kolasinac combined to afford Aubameyang a simple finish (67).
Lerma almost atoned but cracked the post, while Bernd Leno made a leaping late save to preserve the fragile advantage and Gunners - now unbeaten in 17 games with a north London derby looming - held on to move to within a point of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Bournemouth have lost three in succession but they started and finished strongly, David Brooks gliding goalwards and slotting home (8), only to see the offside flag.
Lucas Torreira clipped a post as the travelling fans sung his name before Aubameyang shanked behind at the back post, but Arsenal looked vulnerable in the channels with a less familiar back three.
Ryan Fraser forced a fine Leno save from a free-kick that was retaken - to Emery's annoyance - but Lerma soon gifted Arsenal the lead in bizarre fashion, sliding to intercept Kolasinac's cut-back but instead rifling beyond Asmir Begovic.
Arsenal were now on top, Iwobi wasteful, but Fraser sparked a glorious home counter moments before the break and when Brooks laid into his path, King found the top corner without breaking stride.Emery's side enjoyed prolonged possession after the restart but though they had struggled for attacking fluency against committed hosts, Iwobi's slide-rule pass suddenly dissected opposition lines.
Aubameyang had blazed over again just minutes earlier but the Gabon striker was afforded a tap-in at the far post when Kolasinac delivered the cross and Arsenal swagger was back again.Bournemouth legs looked weary but a final push yielded a series of chances to hit back again, Junior Stanislas poised to meet Charlie Daniel's ball but scuffing a straight into Leno's hands.
Lerma took aim with five minutes left, and Leno had to stretch when Sokratis dangerously stuck out a boot, but a second leveller proved elusive.Arsenal travel to Vorskla in the Europa League on Thursday before focus swiftly turns to Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham, live on Sky. Bournemouth face a testing trip to free-scoring Manchester City next Saturday.
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