Prediction: Arsenal vs Bournemouth

Verdict: Bukayo Saka to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Arsenal will welcome Bournemouth the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have endured a tricky start when opening February, Mikel Arteta’s youngsters have come roaring back in some style. Although the Gunners might have opened the 2022/23 campaign with their sights simply set on booking a Champions League return, they are now looking to claim a first Premier League crown in almost two decades. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a five-point buffer over the chasing pack, Arteta will be calling on his side to lay down another marker here. Last seen earlier in the week putting in a routine display on home soil as they breezed their way to a 4-0 romp against relegation scrappers Everton, Arsenal have now won each of their last three top-flight contests. With their recent purple patch highlighted by an action-packed 4-2 win away at Aston Villa on February 18th, Saturday’s hosts are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick here.

Team News

While Gabriel Jesus might be inching towards a return, the ex-Manchester City striker will once again miss out on Saturday afternoon due to a long-term knee injury. The red-hot duo of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will spearhead Arsenal’s charge here.

Now having to settle for a spot in back-to-back Premier League showdowns, Eddie Nketiah will be hoping for a full recall at the Emirates.

Bournemouth

As for the visitors, although Bournemouth might have claimed a much-needed 1-0 victory against Wolves on February 18th, the Cherries certainly came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Eventually hit with a 4-1 drumming at the hands of defending champions Manchester City, Gary O’Neil’s men find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Largely showing a host of issues since returning from the World Cup’s winter break, the south coast outfit have won just one of their last 11 straight matchups across all formats. With that extended struggle stemming all the way back to November 12th, Bournemouth have gained a reputation for their defensive struggles. Crashing out of the FA Cup on January 7th as they were hit with a 4-2 defeat at home against Championship outfit Burnley, O’Neil’s side will be more than aware that they face a huge test on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

O’Neil will once again travel to north London having to juggle a growing injury list. Bournemouth have confirmed they will be without the likes of Lewis Cook, David Brooks, Marcus Tavernier, Junior Stanislas and Matias Vina this weekend.

Likewise, while both Lloyd Kelly and Illia Zabarnyi might be inching closer to a first-team return, neither will feature on Saturday afternoon.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on August 20th, Arsenal picked up a 3-0 romp at the Vitality.
• The Gunners are unbeaten in each of their last six straight meetings against Bournemouth.
• Saturday’s guests have recorded just a single victory from any of their last 11 straight matchups across all formats.
• Arsenal have won each of their last three straight Premier League matchups by an aggregate score of 9-2.
• Bournemouth have recorded just a single clean sheet since opening 2023.

Conclusion

Making an immediate return to losing ways last weekend as Bournemouth were hit with a 4-1 drumming at home against Manchester City, the Cherries face another heavyweight showdown here. Firmly at the heart of a relegation scrap, there is no doubt that Arsenal should be smelling a golden chance in north London. Extending their buffer at the top of the Premier League table to five points thanks to a routine 4-0 victory against Everton in midweek, Arteta’s side have come roaring back since their February wobble. In fact, the Gunners have now won each of their last three straight top-flight matchups by an aggregate score of 9-2. With Arsenal cruising their way to a 3-0 romp when they traveled to the Vitality back on August 30th, Saturday’s hosts are rightfully tipped as a runaway pick this weekend.

Verdict: Bukayo Saka to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/8

Bookmaker: Unibet