Bournemouth vs Arsenal – Match Preview | Premier League 2024/25

Aarush
By afcaarush
8 Min Read

After a lengthy international break, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal travel away to Vitality Stadium this Saturday as they clash vs. Bournemouth in GW8.

When Premier League football finally returns after a 2-week gap, both Bournemouth and Arsenal will look to make no mess of the situation and try to start another tough group of fixtures with 3 points.

In the previous gameweek, Leicester hosted Bournemouth at the King Power Stadium, where the hosts managed to hold onto a slender 1-0 lead going into the international break. The game was quite a letdown for the Cherries, as they seemed close to scoring in the game multiple times yet weren’t clinical enough to find the net. With two wins and two draws this season, Iraola’s side see themselves sit at 13th place, 4 points ahead of safety.

Arsenal battled through and came up front with a comeback victory against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium. After conceding early in the second half, Arsenal were quick to convert their chances, thanks to goals from Havertz, Martinelli, and Saka, which secured the 3 points. Arsenal remain in the 3rd spot with 17 points, one of the only two sides to still remain unbeaten in the league.

Two childhood best friends in Mikel Arteta and Andoni Iraola see themselves face each other in the Premier League yet again. Arsenal’s form has been stellar this season and will hold the upper hand in the fixture this weekend.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal: When & Where?

Date: 19th October 2024, Saturday.
Time: 5:30 PM BST.
Venue: Vitality Stadium.

AFC Bournemouth vs Arsenal — Match Officials

Referee: Rob Jones
Assistants: Neil Davies, Simon Long
Fourth Official: Tim Robinson
Jarred Gillet
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard

Bournemouth vs Arsenal FC – Team News

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Bournemouth host the Gunners with a clean record of almost all players being fit and ready to fire. Tyler Adams, who’s a doubt for the fixture, might also make it in time for the fixture. Iraola might make some changes to the lineup considering the Arsenal they are facing.

Arteta’s hopes for an injury-free international break were shattered as both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli picked up injuries for their respective sides, although the former is expected to be fit for the fixture at the weekend.

Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey both withdrew from their nations matches this break; however, both Odegaard and Tomiyasu are still being assessed by the medical staff and may take a while longer. Tierney (hamstring), Zinchenko (calf), and Ben White (groin) are also major doubts. Loanee Neto won’t be available to face his former side for the fixture.

Pre-match tactical analysis

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Bournemouth under Iraola have been an impressive side to keep eyes on in the Premier League; they’ve looked much better in attack and have a balanced mix of profiles in the side. However, their hopes of bouncing back might not be with the brightest of smiles as they face an unerring Arsenal side that leaves no second thought.

Arsenal prepare for this fixture with multiple doubts in their side due to injuries, which could see a rotated frontline being played for the fixture. Continuity and partnerships bring out the best in the team, especially in attack, but with changes expected, it’ll be interesting to watch how they’ll fair. Sterling, Trossard, and Jesus might be depended upon in this game, all quality players that will look to prove to Mikel as to how they deserve more minutes.

The biggest question in Arsenal’s lineup is who will replace Odegaard, with Havertz looking to be a doubt too. Could be a big opportunity for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri if he starts the game—classy left foot, insane close control, and maturity in his technical aspects make him a real game changer to have on your side. Alternatively, Mikel Arteta is aware of these decisions, as he stated in his pre-match conference, and seems ready to deploy the best options.

The fullback pairings of Timber and Calafiori on both flanks have shown signs of double inversions this season—opting for control and dominance from central spaces whilst also dropping wider when required. Declan Rice holding the key as a first-phase progressor, and Raya acting as a sweeperkeeper with his distributions will be key in finding spaces between the Bournemouth side.

Bournemouth would need to be very careful in their buildup, as Arsenal like to press from the front. Zabarnyi, being a leader in defence, would have a huge role to start proceedings from the back with the reliable left-footed fullback Kerkez next to him. Semenyo, who scored against the Gunners in preseason, will be up against Calafiori and could take advantage of his offensive positions and bait him into uncomfortable positions.

Bournemouth have struggled against top-half sides of late, with each of their last 10 Premier League wins coming against opponents in the bottom half of the table. They are winless in their last 11 against teams in the top half since beating Manchester United 3-0 in December last year (four draws, seven losses).

AFC Bournemouth vs Arsenal FC: Key Players

Antoine Semenyo:

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Bournemouth’s most reliant goal scorer and chance creator, will be up against the best defence of last season. An ambi pedal ball carrier that has almost 0 angle bias and can cause nuisance to defences with his physically imposing and agile body. Elegantly drives through from the wings and loves taking shots at goal—2nd most shots in the league this season. If Bournemouth do look to score vs. Arsenal, Semenyo will surely be at the end of it.

Riccardo Calafiori:

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the Arsenal summer signing, has transitioned himself superbly into Arsenal culture and dynamics under Arteta. His seamless, no-nonsense approach helps Arsenal both defensively and offensively. One time you’ll see him on the wide channels, but the other moment you’ll see him burst through into central areas and distribute passes to the frontline. Up against a tricky winger like Sememyo, Calafiori might have defensive duties on the back of his head but is still expected to venture ahead whenever needed.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups

Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Kepa; Smith, Sensei, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson, Tavernier

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Bournemouth: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Partey, Havertz, Sterling, Trossard, Saka

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