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Arsenal return to Premier League action in 2018 with a travel to Bournemouth. Here is all you need to know and all the match facts.
Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea knocked them off the path a bit. The top four used to be assumed, as the Gunners hit it consistently for two decades, but now it’s something they have to fight for and they lost that fight for the first time last year.
This year, they are on the back foot. But there is hope. Chelsea are sputtering and Tottenham are bound to fall off the pace again. Chelsea only managed a point against Leicester and Spuds may have won, but there is still time to catch them. A win puts the Gunners just two points behind them. And, with Liverpool still to face Manchester City (and probably lose), the Gunners can pull within two points of the Reds as well, which is certainly in striking distance.
But the first task is taking care of an enigmatic Bournemouth at their home ground. And, in the process, they will have to cope with their slowly diminishing list of injuries.
Related Story: Arsenal vs Bournemouth Predicted XI
Arsene Wenger actually gave us some good news, as Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey could both be available with Mesut Ozil a “50/50” chance to play. That re-energizes the hell out of their midfield and, with the defense suddenly stepping up, the injuries to Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny are less troubling. In fact, this new-look defense is damn near taking over.
Other than that, the Gunners just need Sead Kolasinac and Olivier Giroud back and they are all set to conquer the world again.
On Bournemouth’s side of things, they are missing quite a bit of attacking options themselves. Joshua King is doubtful and Jermaine Defoe and Junior Stanislas will both be sidelined. That gives the Gunners just Calum Wilson to worry about up front, which is still a worry, but not nearly as much knowing that he is the only real option they have.
The Gunners are obviously expected to win a match such as this, but there’s no real point in expecting things from this club these days, so you better tune in and see how it goes. Here are all the match facts and how to watch:
Next: 5 Key Players Against Bournemouth
Date: 14 January 2018
Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Time: 8:30 EST, 13:30 BST
TV: NBCSN
Radio: Talk Sports Radio World, Arsenal Player, SiriusXM FC
Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra, fuboTV