Arsenal welcome Bournemouth to the Emirates in a Premier League fixture on Saturday evening, looking to get back to winning ways.
The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in midweek. They cannot afford to lose focus for even a split second this weekend, even if the Champions League undoubtedly remains the priority at the moment.
Mikel Arteta and Co. can virtually guarantee a top-five finish with a victory over Bournemouth provided results go their way, before focusing on next week’s European assignment in Paris.
Arsenal Team News
Thomas Partey was suspended for the first leg against PSG on Tuesday but is available for selection in the Premier League.
Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz remain sidelined for Arsenal. However, Arteta has confirmed that both Havertz and Jorginho will be back before the end of the season, depending on their rehabilitation plan.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bournemouth (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Having enjoyed a strong season, David Raya will hope to keep a clean sheet on Saturday and get some much-needed confidence before the second leg against PSG.
Defence
In front of Raya, William Saliba should continue partnering Jakub Kiwior in central defence in the Arsenal lineup, with Gabriel and Tomiyasu injured.
They have to be switched on to keep Evanilson quiet, after an independent panel overturned his red-card decision against Manchester United last weekend.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White are expected to come into the Arsenal lineup, replacing Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber at left-back and right-back positions, respectively.
Midfield
Thomas Partey appears to be a certain starter here, having been suspended in the first leg against PSG. So, the Ghana international will be fresh to anchor the Arsenal midfield, which should also include Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Partey’s return to the Arsenal lineup should allow Rice to operate further forward, providing him with the license to make late runs in the box and cause problems for Bournemouth. Odegaard, with his guile and movement, will try to stretch the visitors’ defence.
Attack
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to be rested ahead of next week’s big European game in Paris, which should open the door for teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri to start against Bournemouth in the Arsenal lineup.
Leandro Trossard should move to the left to replace Martinelli, with Mikel Merino acting as a false No.9.
If required, Saka and Martinelli should get minutes in the second half. Raheem Sterling will be an option as well, bringing pace and experience off the bench.
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