Arsenal make the trip to the South Coast this weekend to face Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
The Gunners are vying to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games, but due to the competitive nature of the Premier League, a victory is necessary to keep up with the pace of their title contenders.
The head-to-head record makes for good reading for Mikel Arteta’s side, having lost only once in their last 15 encounters with the Cherries, a 2-1 defeat at the Vitality Stadium back in January 2018.
It was unfortunate news for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard during the week, who has suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury.
There are question marks over the availability of Ben White and Jurrien Timber, though Bukayo Saka should be fit despite leaving international duty early due to a knock against Greece at Wembley Stadium.
For Bournemouth, it has been a break full of positivity after Tyler Adams returned to training. The American should be available for selection against Arsenal following a lengthy injury layoff.
Milos Kerkez has recovered from the knock that ruled him out of international duty with Hungary.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal – Match Preview and Team News
Form
Bournemouth: WLLWL
Bournemouth have really struggled for consistency so far this season and fell to a slender 1-0 defeat at Leicester City in their last league outing.
Their results have not followed any sort of pattern, they have lost to Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester, drawn with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United and beat Southampton and Everton.
They are understandably missing their top goalscorer from last season, Dominic Solanke, who made the move to Spurs for a club record sale of £65m in the summer.
How we feeling ahead of Saturday? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y9mjgdP3H3
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 17, 2024
Replacing his 19 league goals was always going to be a tough task and Brazilian striker Evanilson is yet to find his feet in English football after his £40m move from Porto.
It was a poor performance at the King Power Stadium a fortnight ago and Andoni Iraola will be asking his players to respond.
Arsenal: DWWWW
Arsenal remain unbeaten this campaign and are aiming to compete on all fronts.
They have collected four points from a possible six in the Champions League after beating Ligue 1 Champions Paris Saint-Germain in North London and playing out a 0-0 stalemate at Serie A outfit Atalanta.
In the Premier League, they have only dropped points in draws with Brighton and Manchester City, having been reduced to 10 men for delaying the restart in each of those games.
Back in Premier League action 👊 pic.twitter.com/5NiTCHmYtu
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 18, 2024
Bukayo Saka leads the league for assists with seven, having set up Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz – as well as getting himself on the scoresheet – in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Southampton before the international break.
Last Meeting: Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth, Premier League, 4th May 2024.
It was a resounding display when Arsenal last played Bournemouth as the Gunners swept the Cherries aside in a 3-0 triumph in North London.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice earned Mikel Areta’s side the points at the Emirates Stadium last campaign.
Bournemouth failed to introduce themselves into the action at all and they were comfortably beaten by their opponents.
Saka sparked the scoring by coolly dispatching a penalty on the stroke of half-time after Kai Havertz was impeded by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto, now on loan at the Gunners.
After the interval, Rice teed up Trossard who swept home with ease to double the advantage.
Rice then got himself on the scoresheet with virtually the last kick of the game as he blasted in Arsenal’s third from a tight angle to seal the win.
Predicted Lineups
Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga; Araujo, Senesi, Zabaryni, Ouattara; Cook, Christie, Semenyo, Scott, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Arsenal: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz.
Who is the referee?
Rob Jones is the match official. He will be assisted by Neil Davies and Simon Long while Tim Robinson will be the fourth official. The VAR is Jarred Gillett and he will be assisted by Harry Lennard.
What TV channel is Bournemouth vs Arsenal on?
Bournemouth vs Arsenal will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
What time is kick off?
Kick-off at the Vitality Stadium will be at 17:30 BST on Saturday 19th October 2024.
Odds
Bournemouth – 4/1
Draw – 14/5
Arsenal – 7/10
