Declan Rice is back in the midfield after missing our midweek win over Aston Villa with a knee injury.
He starts alongside Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the pitch, as Mikel Merino drops to the bench for our trip away to Bournemouth.
The other two changes from the win on Tuesday night are both in the wide attacking positions. Noni Madueke comes in to start on the right, while Gabriel Martinelli is on the other flank, so Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are among the substitutes.
The back four and goalkeeper remains unchanged – David Raya takes his place behind Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel and Piero Hincapie.
Viktor Gyokeres once again leads the line up front for our first game of 2026.
The hosts include top scorer Antoine Semenyo, who has nine goals this season, amid speculation linking him with a January transfer.
Indeed Bournemouth are unchanged from the side that drew 2-2 away to Chelsea on Tuesday.
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Preview: Bournemouth v Arsenal](https://www.arsenal.com/news/preview-bournemouth-v-arsenal-3?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news)
LINEUPS
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Jesus.
Bournemouth: Petrovic, Senesi, Jimenez, Hill, Truffert, Scott, Kluivert, Semenyo, Brooks, Tavernier, Evanilson.
Subs: Forster, Cook, Soler, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi, Unal, Rees-Dottin.
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