Arsenal will look to solidify their grip on second place in the Premier League when they host Bournemouth at the Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners are coming off a narrow 1-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League semi-final first leg and are expected to rotate their squad with the crucial return leg in Paris looming midweek. Despite the continental setback, Arsenal remain unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches and have a five-point cushion over third-placed Newcastle United.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are still in the hunt for a European spot, sitting 10th in the table. Their hopes were kept alive after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend, a match in which their record signing Evanilson had a red card overturned on appeal and is available for this clash. The Cherries have only one win in their last four league games but are unbeaten in their last four, making them tricky opponents for Arsenal.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his lineup to keep players fresh for the PSG second leg. Thomas Partey returns from suspension and should feature alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in midfield. Jorginho, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Magalhães remain sidelined, while Bukayo Saka is likely to start after being rested midweek. Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly are set to play at full-back, with William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior in central defense. Mikel Merino is expected to lead the line, flanked by Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Probable XI:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola welcomes back Evanilson after his red card was overturned. Ryan Christie and Enes Unal are out, while Luis Sinisterra could return to the squad. Bournemouth are likely to stick with the same lineup that drew with Manchester United, featuring Adam Smith and Milos Kerkez as full-backs, Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen at center-back, and Tyler Adams and Alex Scott in midfield. Justin Kluivert will play as the number 10, with Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo on the wings, and Evanilson up front.
Probable XI:
Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson.
Key Stats
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Arsenal are undefeated in their last eight home matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
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The Gunners are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches.
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Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last four league games but have only one win in that stretch.
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Evanilson has been directly involved in six goals in his last nine Premier League starts (five goals, one assist).
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Arsenal have won four of the last six meetings between the sides, with one draw and one Bournemouth win.
Player to Watch: Bukayo Saka
Saka came under scrutiny after a quiet display against PSG, but he remains Arsenal’s most creative and influential player. With the Gunners needing a spark ahead of their Champions League decider, Saka will be eager to deliver a top performance and boost his confidence.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth Prediction
Arsenal’s strong home record and greater squad depth should give them the edge, even with some rotation expected. Bournemouth’s resilience means they could threaten, but the Gunners are likely to have too much quality.
Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth
Arsenal are expected to claim all three points, keeping their hold on second place and building momentum ahead of their European showdown.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth Live Stream
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