Bournemouth vs Arsenal predicted XIs: Team news and probable line-ups | OneFootball

Arsenal‘s first test following the international break is a trip to Bournemouth on Saturday evening and the Gunners may be pretty expectant having brushed aside the Cherries 3-0 and 4-0 last season.

Mikel Arteta’s title chasers remain unbeaten after seven outings, having won five times and drawn twice, while Bournemouth are bidding to respond to a run of three defeats in four.

The 5.30pm kick-off from the Vitality Stadium will be aired live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Predicted XIs:

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Tavernier, Sinisterra; Evanilson.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

Gunners bidding to lay down their title marker

The international break may have come at a good time for Arsenal, who were made to work hard in winning in their final two league matches before the two-week layoff.

The Gunners needed two injury-time goals to get the better of Leicester 4-2 while they were forced to come from behind in a 3-1 victory over Southampton, with their defence being uncharacteristically sloppy.

However, like all good teams do, Arsenal were able to succeed despite playing below their impeccably high standards and they remain unbeaten after seven games, only one point behind leaders Liverpool.

The Londoners’ only dropped points have come in draws with Brighton and Manchester City, both of whom equalised in the second half when Arsenal had been reduced to ten men.

So Arsenal still have every reason to be optimistic about their title credentials and they will be hopeful of recording victory at Bournemouth, who have lost three of their last four league games without scoring.

Andoni Iraola’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat at Leicester last time out, having also been beaten 3-0 at Liverpool and 1-0 at home to Chelsea in September.

Goals are proving harder to come by following Dominic Solanke’s departure to Tottenham and the Cherries will be well aware of the magnitude of the task they are faced with given Arsenal swatted them aside 3-0 and 4-0 last season.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal Team News

The only real injury concern for Bournemouth is USA international Tyler Adams, who is set to be eased back into action following his lengthy layoff.

Arsenal, in contrast, saw Bukayo Saka withdraw from the England squad after taking a knock in the defeat to Greece and he faces a late fitness test, as does fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli who missed Brazil’s win over Peru with a calf issue. Martin Odegaard is not yet ready to feature as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained last month while Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko remain sidelined.

Back-up goalkeeper Neto is ineligible to face his parent club and although Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey also withdrew from the Germany and Ghana squads, they are expected to be available for selection.

Full-backs Ben White and Jurrien Timber will both hope that they can recover from their knocks in time to feature.