Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bournemouth - Premier League

The boys are back on our TV screens this Saturday with a trip down to the South Coast beckoning for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

Arteta's managerial debut arrived at the Vitality on Boxing Day 2019, with very few projecting what the Spaniard would eventually serve up in north London following that 1-1 draw.

This Gunners team need more than a mere point this weekend as they face a Cherries outfit that's yet to hit their groove at the start of the new season. In truth, their indifferent form has carried over from the end of 2023/24 with a defeat at the Emirates being the first of three to finish their campaign.

They are a difficult team to face on home soil, though, and a slack Arsenal display on Saturday will be punished by a direct and aggressive Bournemouth team.

Here's the starting XI Arteta could pick for the Gunners' upcoming Premier League clash.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bournemouth

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - Fresh off a productive break in which he kept two clean sheets, Raya returns to the Arsenal XI aiming to continue his excellent record away from home in 2024.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - There's some doubt over the statuses of Arsenal's two starting right-backs, but given that Timber has had a couple of weeks off to nurse a muscle injury, we suspect he'll be okay to feature. Let's hope Ben White is back fit, too!

William Saliba (CB) - We can only hope he's got the right studs on this weekend. He usually does.

Gabriel (CB) - The Brazilian centre-back is working his way into becoming a key cog for Dorival Junior's national team, with the brutish defender carrying his sturdy club form into the international break. He could face compatriot Evanilson on Saturday.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - He's quickly emerged as a fan's favourite, with Calafiori admitting in the week that his impressive grasp of English is down to Netflix shows and UK drill. Arsenal are a more unpredictable side with him in the XI.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) - Partey fought illness over the break, but he's expected to be fine for Saturday. He's started every Premier League game so far this season, and the latest running statistics suggest his legs haven't gone just yet.

Declan Rice (CM) - Rice scored against the Cherries in May and enjoyed another productive break. It'd be nice if we got to enjoy the dominant midfielder from 2023/24 a little more regularly this term.

Leandro Trossard (AM) - Mikel Merino could make his first start, but I'm projecting another second-half cameo for the Spaniard with Arteta retaining Trossard in a free role to mitigate Martin Odegaard's continued absence.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - Some would've feared the worst when Saka limped off against Greece last Thursday, but we know the winger isn't one to take physical risks. His hamstring issue is not serious, and he'll be back in action on Saturday.

Kai Havertz (ST) - Havertz missed Germany's recent outings due to injury, but the forward's issue will not keep him out of this one. He's a shoo-in.

Raheem Sterling (LW) - Gabriel Martinelli might not be risked given the minor knock he sustained and all the air miles he's racked up, and Arsenal have an able deputy in Sterling who could do with a few more starts to find some rhythm.

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