2019-20 Premier League: Week 19 – Bournemouth vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta officially takes charge of Arsenal for the first time as the Gunners visit Bournemouth at the Vitaly Stadium. 

Depending on how Brighton fare in the Lunchtime game, a win could lift Bournemouth above the Seagulls into 13th.

Arsenal meanwhile could possibly climb to eighth with victory if results elsewhere go their way. 

 

Team news

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Diego Rico is suspended for Bournemouth after picking up his fifth booking of the season last weekend against Burnley.

Steve Cook could return early from a wrist injury but will face a late fitness test alongside Ryan Fraser (knock) and Simon Francis (head). 

Harry Wilson (thigh), Adam Smith (ankle), Nathan Ake (hamstring), Arnaut Danjuma (foot), Charlie Daniels (knee), Lloyd Kelly (thigh) and David Brooks (ankle) are still sidelined. 

Arsenal could have Mesut Ozil available after a right foot injury kept him out of Saturday’s goalless draw at Everton. 

Rob Holding (knee), Hector Bellerin, Dani Ceballos and Gabriel Martinelli (all hamstring) will be subject to late fitness tests. 

Calum Chambers is suspended for this match after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Goodison Park. 

Kieran Tierney (shoulder) and Sead Kolasinac (ankle) are still ruled out for the foreseeable future. 

 

Stat Attack

• Bournemouth have taken just four points from nine previous league meetings with Arsenal (W1, D1, L7).
• Two of Arsenal’s last six goals against Bournemouth have come from defenders, including David Luiz’s winner back in October at the Emirates. 
• Bournemouth have scored three goals in each half across their last three home games against Arsenal (W1, D1, L1). 
• Aaron Ramsdale and Steve Cook are the only Bournemouth players to have made a last man tackle this season, with Ramsdale doing so on two occasions to Cook’s one last man tackle. 
• Bernd Leno has made six catches this season in 18 league appearances, just as many as he made in 32 appearances last season. 

 

Prediction

This is a huge test for Arsenal because they really need to hit the ground running under Arteta if are realistically stay in the top five scrap.

Bournemouth meanwhile have done a solid job in the last couple of weeks despite their injury crisis, and will make it difficult defensively to break down so clinical finishing will be crucial. 

I am therefore expecting a scrappy game with a draw a good bet given the respective home/away form of both teams respectively.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal

Result: Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal