Arsenal struggled to a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in their last match, keeping them in the top four. Top four is their ultimate goal, but they’ll need to improve to stay there. Their performances have them looking more like a mid-table team than a top four one. Bournemouth at home is a good opportunity to prove that they can play like a top four team. They’ve done well in the fixture in the past and the Cherries porous defense could give them an opportunity to get their attack going.
Bournemouth are looking to break back into the top half of the table. They’re in a similar spot to the Gunners, there results have them where they want to be, but their performances are worrying. They’ll look at Arsenal’s poor performances and comedic defense as a an opportunity of their own. They’ll need to take some points from the top teams to get into the top half and this is a real chance to do that.
Team News
Arsenal are coming back to health, with striker Alexandre Lacazette being the only player expected to miss out, according to Physioroom.com.
Bournemouth on the other hand have quite a few injuries. David Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Junior Stanislas and Chris Mepham are all ruled out, according to Physioroom.com. On top of that, Dan Gosling and Adam Smith are both doubts.
Key Players
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal have been carried by Aubameyang this season. The Gabon international has scored seven of the team’s 12 league goals. He has been the difference between them being a top four team and a bottom half one. His season is starting to shape up like Robin Van Persie’s last season at Arsenal, where if he doesn’t succeed the team won’t either.
Bournemouth: Callum Wilson
Wilson hasn’t carried Bournemouth to the level Aubameyang has done so for Arsenal, but he has clearly been their most important player. He has five of the team’s 13 league goals, despite not taking penalties. He’ll look at the Arsenal centerbacks as a real chance to bolster that goal tally and Bournemouth’s point total.
Prediction
Arsenal have struggled away from home, but their results at home are still pretty good. They will be favorites and should be able to get a win here.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
