Arsenal will be eager to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to face Bournemouth, who are still searching for their first top-flight win this term.
Bournemouth, who face Arsenal this weekend, will have rued their chances last weekend when they took the lead over Brighton & Hove Albion, only to surrender it. The Seagulls, inspired by substitute Kaoru Mitoma, put the Cherries to the sword, leaving Andoni Iraola without a win as their manager.
Some would argue the quality of the opposing teams so far have been superior to the Cherries so far. But their great display against Chelsea must have boosted their confidence. The toughness of their fixtures does not stop just yet, as they take on Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium.
💬 "Really pleased that we find a way to win this game and stay in the competition."
Mikel on the progressing to the next round after an uncertain week of injuries 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 27, 2023
Bournemouth come into the game at the back of their EFL Cup win over Stoke City, where, unlike last weekend, they held on to their lead and even added another strike. This test against the Gunners will add more pressure on Andoni Iraola, as the Cherries could end the weekend inside the bottom three if those teams below them get favourable results.
Mikel Arteta used up his fringe players for the midweek clash against Brentford in the EFL Cup and will hope some of his key first-teamers return to action at the weekend. Arsenal entered last Sunday’s North London Derby as the favourites but were pegged back twice by Son Heung-min as the game ended in a draw.
Since that result, many have questioned Arsenal’s chances to challenge for the title, as they already trail leaders Manchester City by four points. It is still very early in the season to draw conclusions about their credentials, as the Gunners have maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Ahead of another pivotal week of football, which ends with a smashing clash at the Emirates against Manchester City, Arteta will hope his players are prepared for the test and, more importantly, available to play. Hence, the Bournemouth clash already feels like a must-win game for Arsenal, as another slip-up could make the task harder for them to chase down the league leaders.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola has additional problems with his players, as Lloyd Kelly and Chris Mepham are potentially out of the Arsenal clash. The former may not feature until after the international break, meaning there will be an alteration at the back in his absence.
It's matchday minus one 💪 pic.twitter.com/MiUVdvjOQx
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) September 29, 2023
Additionally, there is a big worry about Dominic Solanke’s participation at the weekend after he was subbed off late in the game with an ankle injury. There is no news yet on the striker’s participation at the weekend, but the doubts are mounting against him.
On a positive note, Tyler Adams made his return to the first team, albeit playing only a handful of minutes in midweek. While it is good news for the USMNT star, Iraola will likely bide his time before naming him in his starting lineup.
In Solanke’s potential absence, Kieffer Moore and Antoine Semenyo will battle for the right to lead the line. On other selections, Neto, Max Aarons, Philip Billing, and Marcus Tavernier are all in line for returns to the starting lineup against Arsenal on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Billing; Tavernier, Christie, Kluivert; Semenyo
Arsenal
The Gunners’ injury problems continued to mount following the north London Derby, as a host of first-teamers could miss the weekend’s clash against Bournemouth. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Fabio Vieira suffered issues against Tottenham, and they have not trained during the week.
Arteta on injuries:
"Declan hasn’t trained yet, we have a session in an hour, we’ll get more news about him. Gabi [Martinelli] hasn’t trained, Leo same situation, Saka, same. They are all in the same pool, Willy had a knock, Fabio wasn’t involved. We have to assess them today." pic.twitter.com/TlSCuAPdwP
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) September 29, 2023
William Saliba has also picked up a knock and did not train with the squad, meaning the defender is also a big doubt. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are also potential absentees, as Mikel Arteta faces a race against time to get everyone fit for the clash against Man City next weekend.
Hence, the Arsenal boss could name a similar lineup to their midweek clash, albeit with the inclusion of key stars like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard. On to the goalkeeping situation, the manager continues to keep everyone guessing. But the prediction goes towards David Raya making a return at the expense of Aaron Ramsdale.
Arteta might continue to use Jorginho in Rice’s midfield spot, with Kai Havertz likely to continue beside him. Eddie Nketiah will once again lead the line, with Reiss Nelson and Jesus completing the front three. At the back, Takehiro Tomiyasu could deputise for Saliba after the Japanese defender’s impressive display against Brentford in midweek.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Havertz; Jesus, Nketiah, Nelson
Key Stats
- Bournemouth have failed to win their last ten matches in the Premier League.
- Bournemouth have only scored twice in that period, spanning about 450 minutes of Premier League football.
- Arsenal have won 6 of their last seven matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- Arsenal have the joint-worst attacking record inside the top eight with 11 goals to their name this season.
- Arsenal are still unbeaten this season in all competitions, but have kept only two clean sheets in the Premier League, both away from home.
Player to Watch
Jorginho
Today was a big test for Jorginho and he give a captains performance for #Arsenal:
107 touches
79/88 passes (90%)
2 key passes
3/5 accurate long balls
8/9 ground duels won
3 interceptions
7 tackles
2 clearancesOutstanding.
He has the talent. We need to trust him. #afc pic.twitter.com/3764SPmBPj
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) September 27, 2023
The Italian international has been linked with a move away following his slow start to the campaign. But he may have the chance to have an extended run in this team. Criticism followed after his mistake in the NLD ended up in Tottenham’s second equaliser, but he had a measured performance in midweek against Brentford.
Jorginho will have to take up extra responsibility on Sunday as Rice will likely miss out with an injury. With the additional absence of Thomas Partey, the 31-year-old will have to marshall the central midfield alone on his accord and ensure his side have a favourable result heading into the next week.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth
The Gunners have a terrible record in recent seasons when it comes to keeping clean sheets at the Emirates, but that has not been a problem on the road. They have managed two shutouts this campaign, both away from home, and Mikel Arteta will hope for a similar outcome on Saturday.
Bournemouth, for their part, have shown resilience at home but remain without a win after six games this season. Andoni Iraola will hope that changes on Saturday, but the Gunners, even with their depleted squad, will prove their worth and take three points back to London.
