Following the midweek success in the Carabao Cup, Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth.
The Gunners edged past Brentford 1-0 to book a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, thanks to a first-half strike from Reiss Nelson. This comes after Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, leaving them in fifth spot on the table.
Arteta will want his boys to improve their performance and get all three points against a struggling Bournemouth side, who beat Stoke City 2-0 in the Carabao Cup third round.
Arsenal Team News
Bukayo Saka is a doubt for Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth after Arteta revealed the winger was limping following Sunday’s North London derby and didn’t train earlier this week. Having missed the midweek Carabao Cup win against Brentford, Saka is unlikely to make it for the weekend’s league fixture.
Leandro Trossard suffered a thigh problem ahead of Tottenham’s visit to the Emirates Stadium and subsequently missed the cup game at Brentford. He looks likely to miss out again along with Declan Rice, who was withdrawn at half time against Spurs with a back problem.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring), Jurrien Timber (knee) and Thomas Partey (groin) remain out of contention for the time being.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bournemouth (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale, who started in goal against Brentford and kept a clean sheet, will likely cede his place in the Arsenal lineup to a well-rested David Raya. Despite a strong performance against Spurs, Raya failed to keep a clean sheet. The Spaniard will be raring to shut up shop as quickly as possible at the Vitality Stadium.
Defence
In front of Raya, the well-rested William Saliba will return to the fold. The Frenchman will pair up with Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White operating as the full-backs in the Arsenal lineup.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior will drop to the bench after their solid outings against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
Midfield
With Declan Rice unlikely to be fit to face Bournemouth after missing out against Brentford with a back problem, Jorginho should deputise for the England international in midfield again. He will look to take control of the game as quickly as possible and cut out Bournemouth attacks.
Martin Odegaard and Fabio Vieira are likely to join Jorginho in the Arsenal engine room, with the duo tasked with providing creativity and flair to Arsenal’s endeavors.
This means Kai Havertz and Emile Smith Rowe will drop to the bench after their cup outings in midweek.
Attack
With Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli major doubts, Arteta could start Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus up front again as he did against Tottenham. Jesus will take up the left-wing spot, while Nketiah operates through the middle as a No.9 in the Arsenal lineup.
Fresh off from scoring the winner against Brentford, Reiss Nelson did enough in midweek to justify his selection. He is expected to be rewarded with a start on the right flank in the Arsenal lineup if Bukayo Saka indeed misses out.