Arsenal vs Bournemouth: Premier League Preview

Still not mathematically qualified for next season's Champions League, Arsenal cannot afford any slip-ups as they prepare for a tricky test against an ambitious Bournemouth side. Mikel Arteta’s men remain in control of their domestic destiny, but draws have plagued their campaign. Their 2-2 stalemate with Crystal Palace last weekend marked a 13th Premier League draw of the season—nine of which came after taking the lead—more than any other side in such situations.

In midweek, Arsenal's European focus yielded a lost 0-1 in the first-leg versusParis Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals, and with a deficit to turn around in Paris in midweek, the Gunners will likely prioritise that game and we will see some rotation here. 

Arsenal are unbeaten in eight Premier League matches, they have also not lost to a top-half side in their last 18 such league encounters—though eight of those games have ended level. At home, they boast a perfect record against Bournemouth, winning all eight previous meetings in North London across all competitions.

Bournemouth’s Form and Ambitions
The Cherries arrive with European football still a mathematical possibility, sitting 10th and just a point off Fulham in eighth. However, form is not on their side—one win in their last eight games in all competitions—and Andoni Iraola’s team have drawn three of their last four Premier League matches.

In their most recent outing, Bournemouth looked set for a famous win over Manchester United after Antoine Semenyo's thunderous strike, only for a last-gasp Rasmus Hojlund equaliser to deny them all three points. Nevertheless, their successful appeal against Evanilson’s red card in that match means the Brazilian striker is available for selection this weekend.

Despite their ambition, Bournemouth’s history against Arsenal is bleak. They have never won away to the Gunners in eight previous attempts and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those visits.

Team News
For Arsenal, the injury list remains unchanged. Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Jorginho (chest), and Riccardo Calafiori (knee) are all sidelined. However, Thomas Partey returns from a European suspension and may be drafted into the starting XI. Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko are also pushing for recalls, and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could feature from the bench again or perhaps even get a start here, as Arteta looks to rest players for the clash in Paris in midweek.

For Bournemouth, Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Enes Unal (knee), and Ryan Christie (groin) remain unavailable, but Lewis Cook has recovered from a minor ankle issue and may replace Alex Scott in midfield.

Key Stats

• Arsenal are unbeaten in all eight home games against Bournemouth (W8).
• Bournemouth have scored in each of their last five league away games but have only one win in their last eight overall.
• Arsenal have drawn nine games in which they took the lead this season—a league-high.

As both sides push for European spots of differing levels, Arsenal’s title aspirations and Bournemouth’s late-season ambitions collide in what could be a crucial clash in the final stages of the Premier League campaign.