Bournemouth vs Arsenal preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

A trip down to the South Coast beckons for Mikel Arteta’s perfect Gunners as they take on Scott Parker’s newly promoted Bournemouth on Saturday evening. 

What a difference a year can make, eh? After two games last season, Arsenal were yet to score a goal and had been comprehensively beaten by Brentford and Chelsea ahead of an ominous trip to Manchester City. On this occasion, though, the feeling surrounding the club couldn’t be any brighter following back-to-back wins to kick-start the new season.

Arteta’s side were victorious at home to Leicester last time out as new signing Gabriel Jesus starred. The Gunners are emerging as quite the force this term, and many will fancy their chances of making it three wins from three this weekend.

The Cherries admirably avoided complete humiliation at the Etihad last time out as they only surrendered four goals to Pep Guardiola’s imperious champions. Parker’s side had proved on Matchday 1 against Aston Villa that they will be no walkovers this season, especially at home.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Here’s our preview of the upcoming Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Arsenal.

How to watch Bournemouth vs Arsenal

When is kick-off? Saturday 20 August

What time is kick-off? 17:30 (BST)

Where is it played? Vitality Stadium

TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (Canada), NBC Sports (US)

Referee? Craig Pawson

Bournemouth Team News

Dominic Solanke is a doubt after he missed last weekend’s defeat at the Etihad with an ankle injury. While Scott Parker doesn’t believe his issue will keep him sidelined for long, it’ll likely see him miss Saturday’s game.

Jordan Zemura could return after recovering from COVID-19, but Ryan Fredericks (lower leg) and Joe Rothwell (thigh) remain out due to their respective injuries.

David Brooks is a long-term absentee.

Arsenal Team News

The Gunners’ clean bill of health was ruined by Reiss Nelson’s injury in the build-up to last Saturday’s triumph. The winger is expected to miss the next couple of months with a muscle injury.

Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe were in action for the Under-21s on Wednesday night and both could be in contention this weekend. Neither player, however, are likely to start with Mikel Arteta poised to retain the same starting XI from the opening two games.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal predicted lineups

Bournemouth: Travers; Mepham, Lerma, Kelly; Smith, Cook, Pearson, Stacey; Tavernier, Christie; Moore.

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.

Bournemouth’s Recent Form

Manchester City 4-0 Bournemouth (13/08) – Premier League

Bournemouth 2-0 Aston Villa (06/08) – Premier League

Bournemouth 1-2 Real Sociedad (30/07) – Friendly

Bournemouth 0-1 Bristol City (23/07) – Friendly

Braga 2-1 Bournemouth (19/07) – Friendly

Arsenal’s Recent Form

Arsenal 4-2 Leicester (13/08) – Premier League

Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal (05/08) – Premier League

Arsenal 6-0 Sevilla (30/07) – Emirates Cup

Arsenal 4-0 Chelsea (24/07) – Florida Cup

Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal (21/07) – Friendly

Prediction

There’s no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League and Bournemouth proved against Villa two weeks ago that they’ll be able to hold their own in the top flight despite many projecting them to finish bottom of the pile.

I expect Scott Parker to set his side up in a similar fashion to how he did at the Etihad, although the Cherries will be expected to be more proactive in front of the Vitality faithful – which should play into the Gunners’ hands.

However, the visitors will surely have too much for the hosts this weekend. The Gunners are purring right now, and I just don’t see how the home side keeps the likes of Gabriel Jesus at bay. The Brazilian could have another field day in yet another impressive Arsenal triumph.

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal