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The latest Arsenal team news, injury updated and predicted line-up ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth
Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title resumes this weekend, when Mikel Arteta’s side play host to south coast side Bournemouth in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. The north London side will head into the match in high spirits, having secured a 1-0 away win against Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, keeping their hopes of an impressive double very much alive.
As things stand, Arsenal are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, although their closest rivals, Manchester City, do have a game in hand. Pep Guardiola’s side face a tricky trip to Chelsea this weekend, a side whose desperation to seal Champions League qualification could see them prove stubborn opposition with the potential to put a further nail in the coffin of City’s waning title ambitions.
When Arsenal last met Bournemouth, back in January, the Gunners secured a hard fought 3-2 victory at the Vitality Stadium, with a goal from Gabriel and a brace from Declan Rice earning Arteta’s side a vital three points in the title race. The Gunners suffered defeat in their last home match against the Cherries, however, with second half goals from Dean Huijsen and Evanilson seeing Andoni Iraola’s side seal a landmark victory at the Emirates Stadium last May.
Ahead of kick-off, we’ve picked the most likely line-up Arsenal will field this weekend:
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Bournemouth: Goalkeeper and defence
GK - David Raya: The Spanish stopper proved his immense worth once again in midweek, making three vital saves to ensure Arsenal kept a clean sheet in Lisbon. Arsenal’s undisputed number one will be between the sticks again on Saturday, looking to rack up a 16th Premier League clean sheet of the season.
RB - Cristhian Mosquera: Arteta will look to rotate his side to some degree, with a change likely to come up at right-back. It’s a bit of a toss up between Cristhian Mosquera and White, with Jurrien Timber an injury doubt after missing the midweek trip to Sporting. White could well be given a rest, with Timber likely to be kept fresh and return for Sporting CP’s visit to the Emirates on Wednesday.
CB - Gabriel: Rock-solid at the back and a serious goal threat at set-pieces, Gabriel has emerged as one of the most sought-after defenders in world football over the past six seasons at Arsenal. He’ll still have plenty left in the tank from midweek to put in another top performance against the Cherries, you would imagine.
CB - William Saliba: The former AS Saint-Etienne centre-back will once again partner Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence. He’s played 40 times already for Arsenal this season, highlighting the relentless churn of matches top level footballers in England are expected to get through.
LB - Ricardo Calafiori: Adept at playing across the back line, the Italy international looks set to keep his spot at left-back. He’s responded well after his side’s brutal World Cup play-off final elimination defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina and will be fully focused on club matters once again as Arsenal push hard for two major trophies.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Bournemouth: Midfield and attack - will Saka start?
CM - Declan Rice: Arteta looks likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation against Bournemouth, with Rice forming a key part of his midfield. The tireless ex-West Ham gem has lived up to the hype that greeted his £105m arrival at the Emirates Stadium back in 2023, and he’ll be looking to end the season on a high before his attentions will turn to England’s World Cup campaign in North America.
CM - Martin Zubimendi: Like Rice and several other Arsenal stars, Zubimendi did not take part in the last international break due to injury concerns. He’s now fit and raring to go, and will most likely partner Rice in midfield on Saturday. He’s played 31 times in the Premier League this season, playing a key role in the Gunners’ big push for the title.
AMR - Noni Madueke: It’s fair to say Arteta likes to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to the fitness of his Arsenal charges. Bukayo Saka played the full ninety minutes of Arsenal’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final loss to Man City, but missed the international break and the Gunners’ first two matches after it. He’s likely pushing hard to play this game, but any minutes will most likely come from the bench, with Madueke set to deputise once again.
AMC - Eberechi Eze: We’re still waiting for confirmation on the extent of the knee injury Odegaard suffered against Sporting CP in midweek. £68m man Eberechi Eze is back in training, and it seems that Odegaard’s injury could be more troubling than first feared. A dilemma for Arteta to ponder, certainly: take a gamble on Odegaard, or risk another setback for Eze?
AML - Gabriel Martinelli: Another rotation opportunity for Arsenal here, and deserved one too, after Martinelli impressed from the bench against Sporting CP. He should get the nod ahead of Leandro Trossard on this occasion.
ST - Victor Gyokeres: A good opportunity for the Sweden international to boost his rather underwhelming goal tally, this one. It’s not been the blockbuster start to his career Arsenal fans would have hoped for after he plundered his way through the Portuguese top tier, but it’s worth noting that plenty of top strikers have taken their time to adapt for Premier League football.
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