Arsenal host Bournemouth at the Emirates on Sunday in a bid to continue their run of 18 games without defeat and to stay within touching distance of league leaders Chelsea.
Arsene Wenger’s men are coming off the back of a 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, after having drawn their last two games in the English Premier League against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth travel to the Emirates on the back of a a 1-0 victory over Stoke City. However, the Cherries have lost two out of their last three games and have been struggling for form recently.
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns going into this game and Wenger is expected to name a strong starting lineup on Sunday. Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin remain sidelined and Wenger has not confirmed a specific return date for either of them.
Lucas Perez is back in training but will not make the squad against Bournemouth, although Wenger is hoping that he will be fit for their clash against Southampton.
“I don’t think from the other night we have any injuries, so everybody should be available,” Wenger is quoted by the official club website as saying.
“In cases like Cazorla and Bellerin, they are still out. We have nobody coming back. Lucas is for the first time in training today [Friday]. He might be in contention for Wednesday [against Southampton], but one training session is not enough to be involved on Sunday.”
Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck (both knee) are still long-term absentees after picking up injuries before the season began.
Wenger revealed that Theo Walcott was rested with a minor toe injury against PSG, but the winger is likely to start against Bournemouth having trained throughout the week. Meanwhile, Petr Cech will return to the side, having dropped to the bench for David Ospina in the Champions League.
