Premier League
Bournemouth vs Arsenal Preview
Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth – Arsenal are seeking to end a run of three Premier League games without a win as they head to the south coast to play Bournemouth.
Arsenal, while enjoying a 16-game unbeaten run, bizarrely will be feeling pressure to keep up with their rivals after three successive draws. A trip to Bournemouth hardly represents the best opportunity for this but they should still have enough on paper.
Meanwhile Eddie Howe’s side lost back-to-back games before the international break and will be looking for a change in fortune.
Previous Encounters:
The two sides have met six times in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won four times and Bournemouth once, though that solitary victory came in their last meeting on the south coast in January as the Cherries ran out 2-1 winners.
View From Both Camps:
Eddie Howe (Bournemouth):
“I have not done it myself but I imagine it is not easy to go into a football club the size of Arsenal, who have been used to one manager for so long.”
“It is incredibly difficult and many people over the years who have been in similar situations have found it very difficult, especially initially.”
“Credit to him. He has come in and made an impact to the team. They have got results and individual players are performing for him.”
Unai Emery (Arsenal):
“Now they are just four points behind us and on Sunday we are playing there. They are a good team with a young coach but he has very big experience. I know Bournemouth, they prepare well with good tactical movement on the pitch.”
“They have a big intensity with each player. When they play at home we know it is difficult.”
“We need to prepare well with every player to have a big mentality and intensity for the 90 minutes.”
Team News:
King could return for Bournemouth having missed their last four Premier League games due to an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, full-back Adam Smith is definitely out and faces a long spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury in the defeat at Newcastle before the international break.
For the visitors, Sokratis Papastathopoulos has recovered from an ankle injury to give Emery more options at the back. Defensive quartet Koscielny (Achilles), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin), Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner (both hamstring) are all still missing.
Danny Welbeck (ankle) is a long-term absentee, but Mohamed Elneny is fit again following a thigh complaint.
Predicted Lineups:
Bournemouth (4-3-3): Begovic; Francis, S. Cook, Ake, Daniels; L. Cook, Lerma, Gosling; Fraser, Brooks, Wilson.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira; Iwobi, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.
Match Prediction:
Both sides come into this feeling they need a win. After Arsenal’s run of 7 wins in the Premier League, they are now without a win in their last 3 games. Bournemouth will be looking to bounce back, having endured two successive defeats. With Callum Wilson in red-hot form, Bournemouth would definitely look to exploit Arsenal’s vulnerable defence. It’s an open game, but Arsenal have that extra bit of quality and are likely to come out victorious.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Photo credit to micheal merton via Flickr
