Written by BillyTheKid
Our next game, after just over 3 weeks’ break, is against the league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 11th April at 12.30 pm, and it is also being shown live on TNT Sports. Mikel Arteta and Andoni Iraola are long-time friends from the Basque Country in Spain. Arteta leads 3-2 in the 5 league games against each other in the Premier League.
Arsenal v AFC Bournemouth
Arsenal Win
Arsenal Win
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Draw
Draw
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AFCB Win
AFCB Win
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In our 17 games against Arsenal in the Premier League, the Cherries have beaten them three times. The first occasion, at Dean Court, was 2-1 in the 2017-18 season when Eddie Howe was our manager. Last season under Andoni Iraola, first at home 2-0 and first ever away win against them 1-2, completing the double.
The last time Arsenal won the Premier League title was in the 2003-04 season under Arsene Wenger. Having played one more game than Manchester City, the Gunners are 9 points in front and look like the title winners this season. Going into this game, both sides are on an unbeaten league run; Arsenal are on 8 and the Cherries on 11. AFCB need a draw or a win to break their club’s unbeaten record in this league.
At home since our game at Dean Court against Arsenal, they have beaten Sunderland 3-0, Chelsea 2-1 and Everton 2-0. Drawn 0-0 with Liverpool and lost 2-3 against Manchester United. Away, they have beaten Leeds United 0-4, Spurs 1-4 and Brighton 0-1. Drawn 0-0 against Nottingham Forest, 1-1 at Brentford and 2-2 against Wolves.
The last time our two sides met at the Emirates Stadium was last season, as mentioned above, it was our first away win against Arsenal. Declan Rice put the Gunners into the lead in the first half. But two goals in eight minutes from Dean Huijsen and Evanilson sealed all 3 points for the Cherries.
Premier League games away against Arsenal, AFCB have W 1, D 0, L 7.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 3, D 2, L 14.
Arsenal Team News
They have had several injury issues, but players are gradually becoming available again.
Arsenal Player To Watch
Victor Gyokeres has found his form in recent international games, scoring 4 goals in two games, including a hat-trick. He is also their leading scorer with 11 goals. In midfield, Declan Rice is always a threat, scoring a brace against us at Dean Court in January and the only Arsenal goal in the away game in London last May.
AFCB Team News
Hopefully, we might see one or two players returning from injury.
AFCB Player To Watch
Evanilson has scored in the last two games against Arsenal. One home this season and the other in May last season. So hopefully he can score again on Saturday.
The Referee
Michael Oliver is in charge of this game. He has already taken three of our games this season. Home to Chelsea and away against Leeds United and Wolves.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve looked at the last 4 league games for Arsenal. They had two home games (Chelsea and Everton) and two away games (Spurs and Brighton). Arsenal have gained 12 points, which is an over return, as the game against Chelsea was very even, and Brighton had the higher xG. The xG value for goals scored is 6.33, compared with 9 actual goals, which is an overachievement. Arsenal have conceded 2 goals, with xGc estimating 3.70 goals, which is also an overperformance.
Goals Xg.jpg
Arsenal have had 6 different goal scorers (Gykores with 3, Eze with 2, and 4 players with 1 goal). Seven players have assists, with Timber having 2.
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. Arsenal normally dominate the ball and push high, although the Brighton game was the anomaly, where Brighton were the better team. There may be gaps behind to counterattack at pace.
Av Pos.jpg
The following plot compares the summary stats of Arsenal and AFCB over the last 4 games. Attacking statistics are in AFCB’s favour, being higher in all the metrics except the one that matters (goals scored). There is a real contrast in one team having overperformed and one team having underperformed. Defensively, Arsenal have the edge in all metrics, but not by much.
Comparison.png
Surprisingly, AFCB have had a higher possession percentage. Pass completion percentages are similar. The proportion of chances created from set pieces is similar, but worryingly, against Arsenal, AFCB have conceded a very high percentage of chances from set pieces.
Percentages.png
Your say…
CherryBare said…
The reality is, if Arsenal lose to us, they’ve probably blown the title. City doesn’t look like losing and has a game in hand and plays Arsenal at home. – To join the conversation, please click here.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…