Arsenal vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Arsenal’s primary focus will not be on this game at the Emirates Stadium as they are in the middle of a UEFA Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 3rd May, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo
Arsenal Preview: From London to Paris
Arsenal ended their 12-match unbeaten run of form across all competitions with a 1-0 defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie due to an early third minute strike scored by France international attacker Ousmane Dembele.
The Gunners have been coasting in the Premier League for some time now with their entire focus on Europe and their most recent domestic outing, a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, was their third league draw in four matches.
Bournemouth Preview: Cherries’ chase
Andoni Iraola is being heavily linked with a move away from AFC Bournemouth this summer with Tottenham Hotspur reportedly interested in the former Rayo Vallecano boss but he does have his Cherries side still chasing a top eight or nine finish and potential European football.
They were left immensely frustrated by a 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend at the Vitality Stadium. Antoine Semenyo gave Bournemouth the lead in the first-half before Evanilson was sent off in the second-half and then Rasmus Hojlund equalised late on for the Red Devils.
Arsenal Team News: Probable rest and rotation
Given the second-leg against Paris Saint-Germain comes a few days after this clash, Mikel Arteta is expected to heavily rotate his side for this weekend's visit of Bournemouth. Back-up goalkeeper Neto is a new absentee for this week as he can't face his parent club, whilst Kai Havertz could return before the end of this season.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Zinchenko; Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling
Unavailable: Neto (Ineligible), Gabriel (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Calafiori (Injured), Jorginho (Injured), Havertz (Injured), Jesus (Injured)
Questionable:
Bournemouth Team News: Evanilson red card rescinded
That aforementioned red card given to Brazil international striker Evanilson last weekend has now been rescinded by the Premier League so he will be fully fit and available for this one. Lewis Cook returned to the squad last weekend, too, but Ryan Christie, Luis Sinisterra and Enes Unal all remain sidelined for the Cherries.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson
Unavailable: Christie (Injured), Sinisterra (Injured), Unal (Injured)
Questionable:
Arsenal vs Bournemouth Prediction
It is perhaps reasonable that Arsenal’s full focus will not be on this game and it is an inevitability that they will be distracted by their second-leg against PSG at the Parc des Princes in midweek. They will likely heavily rotate ahead of that tie and Bournemouth, chasing a first ever season in European competition as well as being boosted by Evanilson’s red card being overturned, will fancy their chances of exploiting an Arsenal side that have made a habit of not taking Premier League games too seriously in the last month or so.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth Tip: Double chance – Bournemouth to win or draw
