The signs do not look good for Bournemouth as they take on an Arsenal side with an enviable record against this opposition. Bournemouth have won just four of their last 15 Premier League matches and Arsenal have beaten them eight of the past nine times the sides have met (with the other game ending in a draw). This is without mentioning the fact that Mikel Arteta’s team are looking to finally get over the line and win the league after two consecutive years pushing Manchester City close in the title race.
Arteta was vague in his press conference about the availability of Kai Havertz, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko, a quartet of players who could have a huge impact on Arsenal’s season. He said he was “hoping for some positive news” which gives almost nothing away. Bukayo Saka was withdrawn during England’s game against Greece but could well be available for this one.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, have no such injury concerns and might have Tyler Adams involved for the first time this season after convalescence post back surgery.
Arsenal are on their longest unbeaten streak since the heady days of 2018 under Unai Emery, having not been defeated since their Champions League quarter final second leg clash with Bayern Munich in April. They went into the international break off the back of a couple of victories and will be looking to pick up where they left off. It has been more of a mixed bag for the hosts with a solid win over Southampton sandwiched between defeats to Liverpool and Leicester before the international break.
With Manchester City and Liverpool not in action until Sunday, Arteta will hope his side can secure three points and pile the pressure on their rivals at the top of the table. Indeed, a win would put them on top of the table, if only temporarily. It can be no bad thing to play first if you’re chasing the title but only if you can make it count with a win.
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Bournemouth vs Arsenal odds
Odds update live.
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth
Time: 5:30 p.m. BST (12:30 p.m. ET), Saturday
Streaming: Fubo (US only, try for free)
Form guide (league only)
Bournemouth: 2-2-3, 8 points (13th); L-W-L-L-W
Arsenal: 5-2-0, 17 points (3rd); W-W-D-W-D
Match prediction
Bournemouth 0-2 Arsenal
This is just the kind of game Arsenal may have slipped up in before this modern era during which they seem to have shaken the fragility that often characterised their defeats. That is not to say the result is a foregone conclusion but it’d take a brave man to bet against an Arsenal win on the South Coast.
More Premier League coverage
Premier League predicted line-ups: Who do our writers think will start in Gameweek 8?
USMNT’s Tyler Adams could make Bournemouth injury return against Arsenal
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard ‘hopefully’ returning before next international break, Bukayo Saka injury ‘not serious’
How Arsenal have become the Premier League’s most direct team from goal kicks
(Photo of Leandro Trossard: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)
