Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League today | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka bidding to return as Gunners look to further bolster title charge

Arsenal are hoping to have Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber fit for their Premier League clash with Bournemouth, along with Eberechi Eze.

Saka has been sidelined since the Carabao Cup final and pulled out of England duty due to an issue he has been managing, while captain Odegaard returned from a knee injury against Southampton but went off in the midweek win over Sporting.

None of that trio - or Riccardo Calafiori or Mikel Merino - trained on Thursday, but could yet return against Bournemouth.

“There have been changes since yesterday,” Arteta said at Friday’s pre-match press conference when asked about those Thursday training absences.

Asked if all of Saka, Odegaard, Timber and Calafiori could be involved against Bournemouth, he replied: “I don't know, some of them.”

On Piero Hincapie, injured while playing for Ecuador against Morocco, Arteta said only: “There will be changes tomorrow.”

Arteta did confirm that Eze was in contention having returned to training earlier than expected following a calf injury.

“He's available,” the Spaniard said. “My first conversation with him after he felt a niggle, he wanted to be available the next week.

“We knew that was impossible but the recovery, the will he's shown from day one to get back as quick as possible, is great to watch.”

If Arteta is to freshen up his side elsewhere, Cristhian Mosquera is an option to come in at right-back to help manage Ben White's workload.

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli were both brilliant off the bench against Sporting and combined to score the winner in stoppage time. The pair looked sharp and could each come into the starting lineup here.

That appears particularly likely on the left wing, with Leandro Trossard yet to score a goal in any competition in 2026.

Merino remains out after foot surgery but Arteta is backing him to also return earlier than anticipated.

“He's going to push every boundary. He's out of his boot, doing quite a lot of exercises already.

“He reacted really well to the surgery and he's got no pain. I'm sure there is a chance to make that period shorter - if there is a person that can make that shorter, it's Mikel.”

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

Doubts: Saka, Timber, Eze, Hincapie, Odegaard, Calafiori

Injured: Merino

Time and date: 12.30pm BST on Saturday April 11, 2026

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London

How to watch: TNT Sports