Two in-form teams are set to clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Arsenal play host to Bournemouth.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their four Premier League matches. They drew 1-1 with Manchester United away last time out in the Premier League and followed it up with a Europa League win over Standard Liege in midweek.
Bournemouth drew 2-2 with West Ham in their last league fixture. Manager Eddie Howe watched his side concede a late equaliser to West Ham dooming Bournemouth to a draw
The Cherries are unbeaten in three stretch matches with two of those fixtures ending in wins. Bournemouth sit on 11 points and could crack the Premier League’s top four with a win and results going their way elsewhere.
Arsenal are unbeaten in seven all-time meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions. The Gunners won both fixtures against Bournemouth last term outscoring their opponents 7-2. Their fixture at the Emirates saw the Gunners win 5-1.
Alexandre Lacazette is the only player Arsenal manager Unai Emery is without this weekend. The striker is still recovering from an ankle injury and will return after the upcoming international break.
Bournemouth’s good results have come in spite of a number of player injuries this term. David Brooks, Dan Gosling, Charlie Daniels, Adam Smith, and Junior Stanislas are all still ruled out with long-term injuries.
Midfielder Ryan Fraser could miss the match as well. He is suffering from an illness and is said to be only 50% likely to play. The good news is Arsenal and Bournemouth do not play until Sunday, which could give him enough time to be fit.
Emery could once again give midfielder Joe Willock a start. The midfielder scored in midweek against Standard Liege and fans are clamouring for him to be included in the starting XI.
The Arsenal manager rotated his side for the Europa League but still played several key players. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started on the bench but appeared in the second half. Emery is trying to get the most out of his players with the international break offering 10 days off of league matches.
Bournemouth have been good this season. They will give Arsenal a very competitive match at the Emirates; however, the Gunners’ form at home has been brilliant. They are undefeated at the Emirates in the Premier League and are coming off of a 4-0 win in the Europa League.
Arsenal will collect three more points as the teams combined for over 2.5 goals. Expect both teams to score just like in both matches last term.