Here are our football.london reporters' Arsenal starting XIs for the Premier League clash against Bournemouth
18:00, 02 Jan 2026
Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres are both an option for Mikel Arteta to start for Arsenal against Bournemouth
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Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres are both an option for Mikel Arteta to start for Arsenal against Bournemouth(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal take on Bournemouth in the Premier League as they hope to continue their winning run after taking down Aston Villa. Mikel Arteta wants to start the new year off as he means to go on at the ground that started it all for the Spaniard with the Gunners.
Things have changed considerably since 2019 and the hope is that this season might now become the year the club wins the league. Their last three matches won in the top flight happened to be games they failed to win last season, and the trip to the south coast begins another three-game run of a similar reality.
Arteta, therefore, needs to get the line-up right as he travels to the Vitality Stadium this time around. football.london’s writers are on hand to give their views on what they believe he should consider.
Tom Canton
For me, there are a couple of changes I would make from the game against Villa, knowing that next week Liverpool are coming to the Emirates Stadium. I would reward Gabriel Jesus’ goal on Tuesday with a start for the Brazilian.
I would also bring in another attacking option in midfield in the form of Eberechi Eze, partnering Martin Odegaard in midfield in the place of Merino. I just want more from that left eight role while Declan Rice is out.
Elsewhere, the side remains unchanged, and with the return of Gabriel, I am expecting big things from the side, especially from set pieces.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth – Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Eze, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Ryan Taylor
There's no real need to change too much following that statement demolition of Aston Villa.
Actually, it could well be an unchanged XI providing Mikel Arteta feels Gabriel Magalhaes is ready to start two successive matches.
Jurrien Timber should start at right-back with William Saliba, Gabriel and Piero Hincapie making up the back-four.
In midfield, I think there is a strong chance we could see Eberechi Eze come in for Mikel Merino to support Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard in the centre.
Then in attack, Bukayo Saka starts on the right with Leandro Trossard on the left, and I think there's a decent possibility Gabriel Jesus leads the line over Viktor Gyokeres as the Swede has struggled for goals of late.
It's important Arteta keeps things fresh, even if there's a firm argument he doesn't need to change too much.
Bournemouth played with Marcus Tavernier and Alex Scott as their double midfield pivot against Chelsea, so there's no burning need for Arsenal to sure things up in the middle of the park, as it's likely to be an open game.
Taylor's Arsenal XI vs Bournemouth: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Odegaard, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Jesus
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