Having negotiated Thursday night's Europa League tie in fantastic fashion, Arsenal return to league action tomorrow as they host a dangerous Bournemouth side at the Emirates Stadium.
For the first real time this season, Unai Emery has a big selection decision to make. Does he finally break up the Sokratis-Luiz defensive partnership, does he reintroduce his first choice right back or even, does he hand the impressive Tierney his first league start? So many question surrounding the back line now but in looking at the bigger picture; it is a very positive thing for Arsenal football club. In central defence alone, the team has five first team options, a sixth if you include Chambers. It really is a luxury now that everyone is fit but much like in the starting full back births, Emery needs to consider the opposition, not just pick what he thinks is his best side.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka is likely to return after a break in mid-week whilst the every impressive Matteo Guendouzi should also return. Dani Ceballos played the full ninety Thursday evening and scored his first goal for the club but even still, should keep his starting place. Bukayo Saka was handed a complete rest from first team duties Thursday, meaning he is also very likely to return to the line up.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line whilst the low-in-confidence Nicolas Pepe will play from the right. Emery introduced the pacey Ivorian Thursday night in a bid to let him unleash on a tired and beaten XI to try and gain some confidence. It didn't fail by any means but he hardly impressed, again. It's a rut but good players drag themselves out of ruts and really all they need is time and backing. Pepe is getting both from his Head Coach.
The Cherries come to London with several injuries to their first team. Long term absentees Adam Smith, Dan Gosling and Junior Stanilas continue to be unavailable whilst David Brooks also remains out. Defenders Charlie Daniels and Chris Mepham are out for this game too leaving Bournemouth's back line fairly light. However, in mid-week, they did welcome back club captain Simon Francis who's return to fitness is so timely with more injuries for Eddie Howe to deal with.
Although Bournemouth will be dangerous, especially on the counter attack with pace in wide areas, the Gunners are heavy favourites. Having beaten Bournemouth in all four of their meetings in the Premier League at the Emirates whilst being strong across the fixture in general. The Cherries have only taken a total of four points from Arsenal in all eight Premier League games since their promotion. Nevertheless, Emery needs to get his troops in order and blast them for a fast start. Only a fast start will bury Bournemouth and leave them out of the game. Give them an inch and they'll take a yard as Howe's men have plenty belief and prowess going forward. And in Callum Wilson, they have a real striker, an absolute handful for any defender. Whoever Emery starts in defence will need to be on it from the off.
Expected Lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Calum Chambers
CB: Sokratis
CB: David Luiz
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LW: Bukayo Saka
Prediction: 3-1 to the Gunners.
@craigbennett10
For the first real time this season, Unai Emery has a big selection decision to make. Does he finally break up the Sokratis-Luiz defensive partnership, does he reintroduce his first choice right back or even, does he hand the impressive Tierney his first league start? So many question surrounding the back line now but in looking at the bigger picture; it is a very positive thing for Arsenal football club. In central defence alone, the team has five first team options, a sixth if you include Chambers. It really is a luxury now that everyone is fit but much like in the starting full back births, Emery needs to consider the opposition, not just pick what he thinks is his best side.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka is likely to return after a break in mid-week whilst the every impressive Matteo Guendouzi should also return. Dani Ceballos played the full ninety Thursday evening and scored his first goal for the club but even still, should keep his starting place. Bukayo Saka was handed a complete rest from first team duties Thursday, meaning he is also very likely to return to the line up.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line whilst the low-in-confidence Nicolas Pepe will play from the right. Emery introduced the pacey Ivorian Thursday night in a bid to let him unleash on a tired and beaten XI to try and gain some confidence. It didn't fail by any means but he hardly impressed, again. It's a rut but good players drag themselves out of ruts and really all they need is time and backing. Pepe is getting both from his Head Coach.
The Cherries come to London with several injuries to their first team. Long term absentees Adam Smith, Dan Gosling and Junior Stanilas continue to be unavailable whilst David Brooks also remains out. Defenders Charlie Daniels and Chris Mepham are out for this game too leaving Bournemouth's back line fairly light. However, in mid-week, they did welcome back club captain Simon Francis who's return to fitness is so timely with more injuries for Eddie Howe to deal with.
Although Bournemouth will be dangerous, especially on the counter attack with pace in wide areas, the Gunners are heavy favourites. Having beaten Bournemouth in all four of their meetings in the Premier League at the Emirates whilst being strong across the fixture in general. The Cherries have only taken a total of four points from Arsenal in all eight Premier League games since their promotion. Nevertheless, Emery needs to get his troops in order and blast them for a fast start. Only a fast start will bury Bournemouth and leave them out of the game. Give them an inch and they'll take a yard as Howe's men have plenty belief and prowess going forward. And in Callum Wilson, they have a real striker, an absolute handful for any defender. Whoever Emery starts in defence will need to be on it from the off.
Expected Lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Calum Chambers
CB: Sokratis
CB: David Luiz
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LW: Bukayo Saka
Prediction: 3-1 to the Gunners.
@craigbennett10
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