Back in form and back in the top four, Arsenal welcome mid-table Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium in what is another must win game for Unai Emery and his players. All three points here would put stacks on pressure on the shambles that is Chelsea, the injury-depleted Man United and our fellow North Londoners Spurs who have a tough week to come. The Gunners visit Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime where, if they were to lose to Chelsea tomorrow and then to us, the gap between the North London rivals could be down to just one point. First, it's business as usual against an inconsistent Bournemouth side who can be more than dangerous against any team in the league.
Having seen Lichtsteiner and Iwobi limp off at the weekend, Unai Emery has since said both could be available for tomorrow with the injuries not being as bad as first feared. Arsenal could coincidentally welcome back Ainsley Maitland-Niles from illness who'd be first choice for the right back spot anyway. He has returned to full training so is very likely to start. With Sokratis now back to full fitness too, Emery has a decision to make at centre back with the likelihood being that either the big Greek or Shkodran Mustafi will play alongside captain Laurent Koscielny. It's likely that Kolasinac will continue at left back for this one but don't be surprised to see Monreal get some vital minutes as his more reserved and defensively assured approach to left back could be the preferred option to start the North London Derby on Saturday.
After being back somewhere near to his playmaking best against Southampton, Granit Xhaka is a shoe in to start once again. His best partner is Torreira and although this is the likely duo against Spurs in four days time, it's likely it'll be Emery's starting pairing against Bournemouth too. Regardless of the score, Guendouzi could come on at any time and offer either player a rest should it be needed. Unai Emery has another decision to make in attacking midfield as he's got to decide upon the shape as well as his starting personnel. Both strikers will be hungry to start which could define the shape massively. However, with Mkhitaryan playing well, Ramsey, Ozil, Iwobi and Suarez all options potentially filling only three spots, there are decisions to be made. Mesut Ozil should start for definite as (with most big games gone by) Emery is likely to drop him against Spurs on Saturday. Not ideal for any kind of consistency but it's Emery the tinkerman. He does what he does in a bid to get results. We saw last Thursday against BATE how effective Mesut Ozil can be in dictating play, and working alongside Xhaka to feed those balls forward.
Having both scored and missed a penalty last time out, striker Josh King will be looking for more luck as he's likely to lead the line once again for the Cherries. Centre back Chris Mepham made his first league start against Wolves and could do so again alongside the impressive Nathan Ake - who, this past week, has been a rumoured target for the Gunners. Steve Cook remains out with a long term groin issue whilst winger Junior Stanislas continues a frustrating spell on the sidelines. Key attackers, Callum Wilson and David Brooks have been out for a while now and continue to be so which has had huge impacts on Bournemouth's style, goals output and performance in general of late. Midfield dynamo Jefferson Lerma picked up a tenth yellow card of the season last time out so must now serve a two match ban missing the next two domestic games. With injuries galore and a squad so very thin, Eddie Howe will be looking for the likes of Ryan Fraser on the wing and Josh King upfront to make things happen in front of goal. If Arsenal nullify these threats and pressurise Bournemouth's defence with some good attacking play of their own, the three points should be staying in London.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
CAM: Mesut Ozil
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: 2-0 to the Gunners with Lacazette continuing his good personal form in front of goal. With so many injuries to key players, Bournemouth may struggle to create and execute chances, whilst finding it difficult to keep Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang quiet.
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