Arsenal v Bournemouth – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Arsenal face Bournemouth The Gunners can temporarily go four points clear at the top of the table with a win. The Cherries have won six of their last ten league matches but they’ve lost on their last six trips to the Emirates.

Arsenal Form

The Gunners have bounced back very well in the last three fixtures. A 2-0 win at Wolves saw them outshoot their opponents 24-5. They destroyed Chelsea 5-0 at home after that before going to Tottenham and winning 3-2 last weekend. They allowed 2.42 xG and only produced 1.03 xG as they were outplayed in spells.

Before this winning streak, they went three matches without a victory. A 2-2 home draw vs Bayern Munich saw them allow 1.92 xG. A poor 2-0 home loss followed to Aston Villa. Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League after a 1-0 loss at Bayern where they only managed two shots in the second half.

Arsenal Team News

Jurrien Timber is nearing a return from a long-term injury. There is a clean bill of health otherwise and no suspensions. As usual, Mikel Arteta must decide between Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, and Oleks Zinchenko at left-back.

Leandro Trossard is expected to start ahead of Gabriel Martinelli on the left. Thomas Partey may keep his place in preference to Jorginho.

Arsenal Motivation

Nothing less than a win would do here. A draw could effectively end their title hopes.

Goal difference is also a factor for the Gunners. They need to drive home any lead in this match and keep attacking.

Bournemouth Form

Bournemouth are having an outstanding season. They sit 10th in the league table and their last ten league matches have yielded six victories. The Cherries enjoyed a trio of home wins in a row, 4-3 vs Luton (from 3-0 down), 2-1 vs Everton and 1-0 against Crystal Palace. A surprise 2-1 loss at Luton followed.

A fine performance deserved more than the 2-2 draw they got at home to Man Utd. After losing 3-1 at Aston Villa, they have refocused with successive wins. A 1-0 victory at Wolves preceded a convincing 3-0 home win over Brighton last time out. They put up 2.11 xG from just 30% possession.

Bournemouth Team News

Coach Andoni Iraola has a few injury concerns for this match. Marcus Tavernier is ruled out and so is Luis Sinisterra. Romain Faivre and Ryan Fredericks will also play no part.

Milos Kerkez is suspended at left back and two defenders are doubts due to illness Chris Mepham and Illia Zabarnyi. Speedy winger Antoine Semenyo has a knee problem and is not likely to be available.     

Bournemouth Motivation

Bournemouth area bit stretched due to injuries. They won’t have much experience on the bench for this one.

Iraola’s side will likely cede possession as they did vs Brighton and play on the break. A draw would be a fine result.

Key Stats

Arsenal have won 13 of their last 15 EPL matches

Arsenal have scored 2+ goals in 13 of their last 15 league matches

Bournemouth have won 6 of their last 10 league matches (2 losses)

Bournemouth have lost their last 6 matches away to Arsenal (all competitions)

Verdict

The Gunners should have too much for an injury-hit Bournemouth side. The Cherries have the firepower to score a goal though.