With the knowledge that they can close the four-point deficit to Manchester City, Arsenal takes on Bournemouth before Pep Guardiola’s team takes on Wolves at the Etihad Stadium in a late Saturday kickoff. Despite having to travel to Old Trafford the next week, the Cherries are maybe the hardest team the Gunners still have to play.

With his team, Andoni Iraola has made significant progress since their end-of-September 4-0 home loss to Arsenal. Actually, since November 1st, only four teams have accrued more points than Bournemouth, who were destined for relegation at the start of the season.


Dominik Solanke’s form has been crucial, and he has even witnessed connections formed with a move to north London. Antoine Semenyo, who has been fantastic for them this season but is now sidelined due to injury, will not be available to them until at least the end of the campaign. Milos Kerkez, on the other hand, is suspended.

Whether Mikel Arteta makes any adjustments to the group is a topic of considerable debate from Arsenal’s standpoint. Arsenal has won its last three games in a row and secured all three points; no changes were made from the squad that defeated Chelsea by five goals to the one that survived a late comeback in the North London Derby.

Jurrien Timber is the one player that has the ability to alter the team from the derby. The Dutch international has now participated in back-to-back Under-21 matches with more playing time.


His sensational goal against Blackburn was followed by 71 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Liverpool’s Under-21 team. Although it is still unlikely that he will start against Bournemouth, Arteta now has the opportunity to come on as a second-half substitute.
Other players competing to return to the team are Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli. However, given the performance of their rivals, none of these have much of a chance.

Both Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have been essential to the team’s ability to score goals. After suffering an injury, Thomas Partey’s passing skills were greatly missed. Takehiro Tomiyasu has performed well at left back, making it unlikely that the Polish defender will make the squad again.

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard is the likely lineup for Arsenal against Bournemouth.