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Bournemouth vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

By James Cormack

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) fights for the ball with Bournemouth's English defender Jordan Zemura during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) fights for the ball with Bournemouth's English defender Jordan Zemura during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After securing a morale-boosting cup win at Brentford in the week, Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.

The timing of this encounter means we’re in for less drama compared to when these two sides last faced off, with Reiss Nelson scoring a last-minute minute winner to send the Emirates into raptures.

Nelson’s strike had many believing in Arsenal’s title dream before Mikel Arteta’s side eventually stuttered towards the finish line. Question marks have already arisen at the start of 2023/24 over their credentials. Can they push Manchester City again?

If they are to, they must be winning games like this. While the Cherries have advanced into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, they’re winless in the Premier League and currently sit 17th in the table. Arsenal, meanwhile, are four points adrift of City at the summit after last weekend’s derby draw.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

Reiss Nelson struck a last-gasp winner in Arsenal’s previous meeting with the Cherries. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Reiss Nelson struck a last-gasp winner in Arsenal’s previous meeting with the Cherries. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

How to watch Bournemouth vs Arsenal on TV

When is kick-off? Saturday 30 September

What time is kick-off? 15:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Vitality Stadium

TV channel/live stream? N/A (UK) / Peacock (US) / fuboTV (Canada)

Referee? TBC

Bournemouth team news

Iraola does have a few injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s game, with centre-back Lloyd Kelly set to be out of action until the end of October.

Ryan Fredericks is also a doubt, although he’s only been used sparingly this season.

Chris Mepham and summer arrival Alex Scott remain out of action for the hosts.

Arsenal team news

Arteta admitted after the Bournemouth win that there are still doubts regarding the fitness of Arsenal’s injured stars. Thus, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka could both miss the weekend’s game considering the fixtures the Gunners have the following week.

Reiss Nelson is in line for a rare Premier League start, while either Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli could return to the fold. If either of those wingers are unavailable, Arteta might deploy Gabriel Jesus out wide again.

Jorginho could deputise at the base of midfield, while Fabio Vieira will likely keep his place in the midfield. There are unlikely to be any changes to Arteta’s defence from last Sunday’s North London Derby draw.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal predicted lineups

Bournemouth: Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Billing; Tavernier, Brooks, Ouattara; Solanke.

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Odegaard, Vieira; Nelson, Nketiah, Jesus.

Bournemouth’s recent form

Bournemouth 2-0 Stoke (27/09) – Carabao Cup

Brighton 3-1 Bournemouth (24/09) – Premier League

Bournemouth 0- 0 Chelsea (17/09) – Premier League

Brentford 2-2 Bournemouth (02/09) – Premier League

Swansea 2-3 Bournemouth (29/08) – Carabao Cup

Arsenal’s recent form

Brentford 0-1 Arsenal (27/09) – Carabao Cup

Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham (24/09) – Premier League

Arsenal 4-0 PSV (20/09) – Champions League

Everton 0-1 Arsenal (17/09) – Premier League

Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd (03/09) – Premier League

Prediction

I’ve been really underwhelmed by Iraola’s Bournemouth so far, and while the Gunners could be without a couple of key names this weekend, they should still have enough to beat the Cherries.

Bournemouth’s press has so far been haphazard, with good teams enjoying success when playing out from the back. The visitors’ technical proficiency should allow them to have plenty of joy on Saturday, although in the potential absence of Saka and Martinelli, they might not have the juice to relentlessly exploit Bournemouth’s full-backs.

Still, I’m backing Arteta’s men to produce a clean and slick showing on the road, keeping a clean sheet, too.

Prediction: Bournemouth 0-2 Arsenal

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