Arsenal vs Bournemouth – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday seeking to tighten their grip on the title race.

The Gunners currently hold a nine-point lead over Manchester City in second place. Mikel Arteta’s side recently steadied the ship after two painful domestic cup exits.

They secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday. Now, the North London side aims for a fifth consecutive top-flight victory.

Bournemouth arrive at the Emirates Stadium as the league’s most stubborn outfit. The Cherries are currently on an 11-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

This streak equals their club record set between November 2024 and January 2025. Andoni Iraola’s side has won two of their last three league encounters against the Gunners.

Consequently, they will feel confident about disrupting Arsenal’s momentum once again.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth – Match preview and team news

Team news

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Eberechi Eze is available for selection after a calf injury. The boss praised his number 10 for pushing the medical staff to return early.

However, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Jurriën Timber are all facing late fitness assessments.

Mikel Merino remains out but is making rapid progress following foot surgery. Dinos Mavropanos and Aaron Wan-Bissaka should return to the matchday squad.

Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola enters this fixture with a significantly bolstered squad after the recent break. Tyler Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak, and Julio Soler have all returned to full training.

Notably, Junior Kroupi has recovered from a niggle sustained on international duty. He needs just one more goal to become the first teenager since Robbie Keane to hit double figures. However, Justin Kluivert and Lewis Cook remain definitely ruled out with injuries.

Form

Arsenal

Arsenal average just 0.71 expected goals against per game in the Premier League. This is the lowest defensive average by any side in the division since 2021-22. The Gunners are looking to win five games in a row for the third time this term. Notably, Arsenal lost this exact fixture 2–1 last season.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth have recorded 65 direct attacks this season, the most in the Premier League. Their high-intensity pressing and verticality have become trademarks under Andoni Iraola.

The Cherries could become the first side since 2009 to record six successive draws. Notably, Adrien Truffert has recorded 74 overlapping runs, 36 more than any other defender.

Predicted lineups

Arsenal Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli; Gyökeres

Bournemouth Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrović; Jiménez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Christie, Scott; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson

How to watch Arsenal vs Bournemouth?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports. Coverage begins at 11:30 BST.

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