Arsenal v Bournemouth
Date: 09/09/17
K.O: 15.00pm
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal have no new injuries ahead of the Premier League fixture v Bournemouth at The Emirates, whilst confirming Alexis Sanchez is set to play a part in the 3pm kick-off on Saturday.
Laurent Koscielny took a knock on international duty with France but Wenger expects him to be back fit for Saturday, whilst Jack Wilshere is unlikely to appear against the Cherries as he works his way back to full fitness, and Santi Carzola is still out (ankle) and will be until Christmas.
Eddie Howe is expected to be able to call upon captain Simon Francis after recovering from a hamstring injury, whilst forwards Junior Stanislas (groin) and Callum Wilson (knee) are still out as they continue their respective rehabilitations.
Arsenal have had considerable pressure piled on them by successive league defeats to Stoke and Liverpool, the latter condemning them to a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Anfield. Eddie Howe’s side remain winless and will be looking to capitalise on Arsenal’s instability both on and off the field and amass their first league points of the season.
Stats:
Arsenal’s three home meetings with Bournemouth in all competitions have all ended in victory, with the most recent being a 3-1 win in November last season.
Arsenal have not lost three of their opening four games to a league campaign since 1982-83 (W0 D1 L3 – finished 10th).
The Gunners haven’t suffered three successive Premier League defeats since January 2012.
Arsenal have conceded on average 1.43 goals per league game in 2017; their highest rate in a calendar year since 1965 (1.77).
Since winning three of their first four Premier League trips to London (L1), Bournemouth have lost five of their last six (D1), losing most recently 0-4 to Spurs in April last season.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 Bournemouth 1
Written by Tom Newman.
