Arsenal vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Arsenal find themselves in a tricky spot and under pressure as the Gunners welcome the often entertaining, but profligate, AFC Bournemouth to north London.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – HBO Max / USA – Universo
Arsenal preview: Stumbling Gunners
Mikel Arteta has been criticised for a lack of silverware to show for his work at Arsenal and his resolve has been put to the test in recent weeks with an EFL Cup final loss and an FA Cup quarter-final defeat.
They did recover from that loss to Championship side Southampton in the cup by edging past Sporting CP with a late Kai Havertz goal in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon in midweek.
Bournemouth preview: Frustrated Cherries
Andoni Iraola, still a very highly-rated coach, is presiding over an AFC Bournemouth side that remain in contention for the European spots but could do with putting together a consistent run of victories at this stage of the season.
The Cherries fought back but were frustrated by a 2-2 draw with Manchester United last time out. That was their fifth successive sharing of the spoils and they have drawn eight of their last 11 games inside 90 minutes.
Arsenal team news: Odegaard limped against Sporting
Martin Odegaard made a return to action against Sporting CP but he did appear to be limping when he came off after a fairly ineffective performance and so he has to be viewed as a doubt.
Long-term absentee Mikel Merino remains sidelined for this weekend, while key trio Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapie and Bukayo Saka were all absent in Europe the other day.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Unavailable: Hincapie (Injured), Merino (Injured)
Questionable: Timber (Injured), Odegaard (Fitness), Saka (Injured)
Bournemouth team news: Cook and Kluivert out
In his pre-match press conference, Andoni Iraola has confirmed that midfielder Lewis Cook and attacker Justin Kluivert are his only absentees for the trip to London.
That means that left-back Julio Soler has returned to full fitness alongside United States international midfielder Tyler Adams, with Eli Junior Kroupi having also overcome some fitness issues.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Rayan, Tavernier, Adli; Evanilson
Unavailable: Cook (Injured), Kluivert (Injured)
Questionable:
Arsenal vs Bournemouth prediction
Bournemouth had been frustrated with three goalless draws in four matches before that clash with United. They will fancy themselves to eventually turn their attacking efficiency around, though. Arsenal are not known for that, but more for a regimented, percentage-based approach - which is coming under pressure in the biggest games. Bournemouth are still underdogs but they'll fancy themselves to at least bloody the nose of the still seeming champions-elect at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth tip: Arsenal to win & both teams to score
