Arsenal are aiming to get their season back on track this weekend as they travel to Bournemouth in search of three points despite failing to score in their last three games.
Arsene Wenger’s men have found themselves slip to fourth at the start of this Premier League weekend, and have a mountain to climb in order to get back to the top.
Eight points currently separate the Gunners with table-toppers Leicester, and an in-form Cherries side now stands in their way to kick off a title push.
Eddie Howe’s men have eased off the pressures of relegation recently, picking up a decent eight points from a possible 15 in their last five games.
Both bosses ensured their side had enough to take something from the game here, but with pressure once again riding on the away side, it will be a decisive afternoon depending on the lineup Wenger chooses.
Team News
Arsenal
Things are finally looking up for the Gunners who have a range of players in each position to rotate around as they approach another hectic month.
After featuring for the Under 21’s on Friday, Danny Welbeck is close to a full comeback but will be too short for this weekend, but we’re likely to see him on the bench against Hull.
Following his long-awaited return Tomas Rosicky picked up another thigh injury and will now miss another three months of the season.
Long term absentees Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla are progressing well, with the Englishman likely to be back first out of the duo.
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has managed his side well despite the disappointing injuries his side have picked up over the course of the season, including star striker Callum Wilson.
Despite his desire to get back in time, Junior Stanislas is a major doubt to make it back as he faces a last minute fitness test on a knee injury.
Also suffering from injuries to the knee are Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings who have also been out for the majority of the season, so this won’t be a letdown for Bournemouth.
Tokelo Rantie has got a chance of making it back in time, but with Bournemouth performing well at the moment they really have no reason to mess around with the squad.
One To Watch
Arsenal – Olivier Giroud
He’s had pressure on him in the media throughout the week, and when you’re holding up the attacking front on a side that haven’t scored in three games there’s bound to be pressure. We need to see the Giroud we know come out and prove a point to some of his critics, because Arsene Wenger still looks reluctant to play a Theo Walcott that is struggling for form. Giroud has a real chance on Sunday, there is a chance to turn Arsenal’s season around and he’s got the experience and goals to do so.
Bournemouth – Benik Afobe
Despite never featuring for the Gunners first team, this will be a reunion for the striker who enjoyed so many good years in the academy at Arsenal. He’s already picked up three goals for the Cherries since his January move, and really does look like one for the future. There’s been a lot of talk about him in mid-week but can the forward do it against his former club? He’s likely to play the forward line by himself and he’ll have an immense task to beat off the likes of Laurent Koscielny.
Predicted Line-Ups
Arsenal
Petr Cech is the obvious choice between the sticks, whilst Arsene Wenger will stick with a familiar defence to the side that drew 0-0 with Southampton.
Hector Bellerin has to maintain his focus now that Mathieu Debuchy is no longer breathing down his neck, whilst Nacho Monreal will maintain his place following last minute transfer nonsense of Kieran Gibbs heading out on loan.
Gabriel has looked really good in both the Chelsea and Southampton games and he deserves to keep his place alongside Koscielny against a side who have plenty of pace.
In front, there has to be a change of Mathieu Flamini because the Frenchman really can’t keep up with Premier League life any more, expect to see a working relationship of Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey.
There hasn’t been anything wrong with Arsenal pushing forward, and the big guns of Alexis and Mesut Ozil will be joined by Theo Walcott this time to offer up something slightly different after the 26-year-old was dropped in mid-week.
Up top and itching to get back amongst the goals is Olivier Giroud, who is aiming to capitalise on his 12 Premier League strikes whilst attempting to beat Artur Boruc.
Bournemouth
The Cherries goalkeeper has shown his quality all season, and has the experience to deal with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud.
Eddie Howe is expected to name a fairly unchanged side from their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace earlier this week, with the 4-1-4-1 formation yet again on show.
A backline that is full of both maturity and energy will be in charge of shutting out the threat, with Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels taking care of the full-back positions.
Simon Francis and Steve Cook are rarely a goal threat, and instead like to stay back and secure the defensive line, meaning it’ll be hard for the likes of Theo Walcott to stay onside.
In front of the midfield will be a key man for Howe’s squad, Andrew Surman, who will have his work cut out for the majority of his afternoon, with Mesut Ozil on his toes all the time.
Sitting just behind the striker is a midfield four who have built a strong connection over recent weeks, with Matt Ritchie and Mark Pugh on the wings and Harry Arter and Dan Gosling in control of feeding balls through the Arsenal defence.
Up top and as we’ve already mentioned is Benik Afobe who has three goals in four opening games for his new side, meaning he’s the target man for this Bournemouth side who will have eased in pressure after picking up three points already this week.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Walcott, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud
Bournemouth (4-1-4-1): Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Surman, Ritchie, Arter, Gosling, Pugh, Afobe
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