Ahead of the ‘Title Decider’ next week, Arsenal host Bournemouth in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. The Gunners, tepid since in their recent cup runs, will look to start as they mean to go on in their bid to win the Premier League.
Amid heavy frustration in domestic cup disappointments, it has been easy to turn your nose up at their Premier League and Champions League efforts. They are perched comfortably top of the league – and hold the advantage over Sporting Lisbon in Europe.
Mikel Arteta, has not lost in the league since Manchester United in January, including six wins in the eight games since then. Taking down a resolute Everton and rivals only by distance, Chelsea in that run of games.
The visitors, Bournemouth, have also been tough to beat. Boasting an unbeaten record since Iraola’s side last played Arsenal, a 3-2 loss, accredited to a Declan Rice brace. Having played eleven games in that period, they have only won four, holding a toothless ten-men Manchester United to a draw in their last fixture.
The early kick-off halts a near month-long break in the Premier League for the Gunners, with both sides hunting for three points as the season prepares to draw its curtains. The Cherries will be desperate to sneak into those European spots, four-points adrift from seventh-place Brentford. Arsenal, predictably, will have their sights set on their several year wait on the title in May.
Mikel’s men have won five on the bounce, Iraola has overseen Bournemouth’s longest ever unbeaten run in the Premier League. Both sides will be chomping at the bit to get back amongst the action for their end-of-season ambitions.
Team News
Arteta is hopeful of a return for Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber in his pre-match conference against Sporting on Tuesday.
“Let’s see, hopefully they’re going to be ready for the weekend, if everything goes well,” Arteta said.
“That’s a massive boost because in recent days we’ve lost so many important players and that’s something that we need to change immediately.”
Piero Hincapie and Eberechi Eze are fighting back towards full-fitness with Mikel Merino ruled out due to a foot injury. The rest of the squad that pulled out of the international break for precautionary reasons and small-knocks, should be fit.
Bournemouth only had one issue in the international break, with Eli Kroupi Jr withdrawing from the French u21 set-up, but expects to be fit for the Emirates. He will be looking to become the first teenager in 26-years to score over 10 goals in his debut season since Robbie Kean achieved the feat for Coventry in 2000.
Justin Kluivert and Julio Soler have been ruled out, with Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook close to returning to the starting line-up, yet to be ruled out.
Expected Line-Ups
Arsenal
Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz, Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Bournemouth
Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Christie, Scott, Rayan, Adli, Tavernier, Evanilson
Prediction
Arsenal 3 – 2 Bournemouth
Just like their clash at the Vitality Stadium in the New Year, I reckon Arsenal will take the three-points to put them in a great position ahead of facing Manchester City next week.
Bournemouth will be desperate to hold onto their unbeaten streak and get some valuable points in their bid for Europe, but Arsenal’s guile, coaching and experience should be enough to see them over the line.
Arteta will be hoping that his forward line can build some cohesion ahead of the run-in, having struggled to find his best attacking partnership throughout the season.