Arsenal continue their push for the Premier League title against Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium.
Victory will see Arsenal stay top of the table and move four points clear of Manchester City, whilst Bournemouth can go ninth with a win.
Team News
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns to report after their North London derby win at Tottenham.
Jurrien Timber could make his return from an ACL injury which he had suffered on the opening day of the season, albeit on the bench rather than in the starting line-up.
Bournemouth will have Antoine Semenyo in contention after scans showed no serious issues on a suspected knee injury during their victory at home to Brighton.
Illya Zabarnyi (illness) and Romain Faivre (hamstring) could return but Milos Kerkez (suspension), Chris Mepham (illness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Tyler Adams (back), Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier (both hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal entertain Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on Saturday 4 May at 12:30pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal have avoided defeat in their last seven league meetings against Bournemouth (W6, D1).
- Bournemouth have lost all six league visits to Arsenal (L6).
- Arsenal’s Ben White has scored in each of his last two appearances against Bournemouth (W2).
- Bukayo Saka has produced more crosses than any other Arsenal player in the top-flight this season (171).
- Bournemouth have won one of their five league visits to London-based clubs this season (W1, D2, L2).
Prediction
Although they weren’t exactly at their best at Tottenham with some sloppy defending and possession play, Arsenal crucially were clinical in the first half to secure their eventual win but they must improve here because they will be wary of Bournemouth’s after last season’s scare at home.
Andoni Iraola’s Cherries meanwhile were absolutely impressive in their clinical home win over Brighton with a great attacking press and solid defensive play, which shows that they can’t be underestimated and they will want to revenge last season’s defeat from 2-0 up in this fixture.
This clash therefore will be interesting because Arsenal must deliver a performance akin to the thrashing they served Chelsea in their last home game, but Bournemouth do look like they could nick something if the Gunners play like they did last weekend.
I however do think that Arsenal will only just avoid a slip-up if they can out their sloppy defending.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Bournemouth
Result: Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth
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