Arsenal vs Bournemouth Preview – Prediction, how to watch & potential line-ups

Premier League pacesetters Arsenal welcome relegation-threatened Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium for a lopsided contest on Saturday.

Inspired by Gabriel Martinelli’s sublime performance, the Gunners humbled surprise relegation candidates Everton 4-0 in a midweek Premier League fixture on home turf.

It’s now safe to say that Mikel Arteta’s charges have overcome a result crisis from early February, going from three straight league matches without winning (D1, L2) to three consecutive victories via multi-goal margins. 

Arsenal couldn’t ask for a more fitting opponent to maintain their solidified title pursuit, having won all six historical meetings with Bournemouth on home soil. 

The Cherries succumbed to a woeful 4-1 home defeat to the Gunners’ title rivals Manchester City last weekend, slipping back into the drop zone, with a single point separating them from safety at the start of this round.

But despite carrying a reputation as one of the worst travelling sides in the Premier League, Gary O’Neil’s men stunned Stamford Bridge on their last league trip, eking out a 1-0 win at Chelsea.

Match Preview

Arsenal

Saturday’s 3.00 pm slot seemingly suits Arsenal, who are unbeaten in 31 of their last 32 Premier League home outings kicking off at this time (W25, D6). 

Another routine triumph is on the cards, considering the Gunners’ impressive run of eight consecutive top-flight wins over promoted sides since a 2-0 defeat at Brentford on last season’s opening day.

They’ve scored in all 11 Premier League encounters against Bournemouth, which includes a thumping 3-0 win in the reverse fixture in August.

Bournemouth

Despite upsetting the odds in west London, that’s unlikely to happen in the other part of the capital, with Bournemouth losing eight of their Premier League games against teams starting the day top of the table.

What’s even more concerning for under-pressure manager O’Neil, his lads have conceded a whopping 27 goals across those eight losses, highlighting the potential for another embarrassing weekend. 

The fact that they’ve scored a league-fewest four goals since Premier League’s resumption on Boxing Day only increases the odds of Bournemouth going down painfully.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth Potential Line-ups

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Trossard.

Bournemouth (5-4-1): Neto; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Stephens, Zemura; Ouattara, Billing, Lerma, Traore; Solanke.

How to Watch?

Arsenal vs Bournemouth, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth Prediction

Unless Bournemouth do the unthinkable, Arsenal should be waltzing away with three points without breaking a sweat.

Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth