Arsenal will host a high-flying Bournemouth side at the Emirates on Monday Night Football in the Premier League. The Gunners will look to make a strong statement after they were thrashed 4-0 by Southampton on Boxing Day. The visitors will look to cause more problems for their hosts with their ability to spring a surprise or two, as they have shown against Chelsea and Manchester United.
Arsene Wenger will be confident of getting the three points, despite their disappointing loss to the Saints on Saturday. They sit two points behind leaders Leicester City after the Boxing Day fixtures while Bournemouth sit at the 14th spot just three points above the relegation zone. Having played a goal-less draw at home against Crystal Palace, the away side will look to get something from the game at the Emirates.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Star Sports 4, Star Sports HD4
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Monday, 28 December 2015 – 17:30 GMT (23:00 IST)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London.
Team News
Arsenal do not have any player returning from injury until 9th January. Seven senior players remain sidelined – Alexis Sanchez, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla. The same starting XI that faced Southampton may well face Bournemouth. But Mathieu Flamini was reported to have picked up a muscle injury during the game against the Saints, he was substituted and replaced by Calum Chambers. Wenger might go for Chambers, but the manager is known for not experimenting too much. Alexis Sanchez was expected to be back, but the Chilean’s return is now mid-January after a setback.
Bournemouth will be without their key player in Joshua King. Their goal-scorer against Manchester United, Felix Junior Stanislas, remains doubtful but could well start for the Cherries. Manager Eddie Howe will have a late decision to take on the fitness of his midfielder Harry Arter. Whereas, forward Lee Tomlin also has a chance to return from his groin injury. Howe might have to play striker Glen Murray up front due to the shortage in depth.
Probable Lineups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Flamini, Ramsey; Chamberlain, Ozil, Walcott; Giroud.
Bournemouth (4-1-4-1): Boruc; Smith, Daniels, Cook, Francis; Arter; Gosling, Stanislas, Surman, Ritchie; Murray.
Form
Arsenal surprised everyone with their crumbling loss to Southampton on Boxing Day. The Gunners had previously won four games on the trot, unbeaten in six consecutive games in all competitions. But their loss to the Saints robbed them of the opportunity to go top of the table. They remain in the second spot, two points behind leaders Leicester City and one ahead of rivals Manchester City. Their 100% record in December also suffered a blow at St.Mary’s Stadium, having beaten Olympiakos, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Manchester City before that game.
The Gunners have won four of their last five games in all competitions, losing their last. Arsenal’s goal difference also suffered a blow as they shipped in four goals. Their defence, which was the best in the league, has now shipped 18 goals in 18 games. However, playing Bournemouth at home should be fairly easy for the Gunners. But as the game against Southampton showed, nobody can be taken for granted this season in the Premier League.
Last 5 games: W-W-W-W-L (Last match: Southampton 4-0 Arsenal)
Bournemouth come into this game on the back of a goal-less draw at home against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day. Before that game, The Cherries had won three on the bounce, beating Chelsea, Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion. The 1-0 victory against struggling title-holders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was a result that manager Eddie Howe described as the ‘greatest ever result’ in the Cherries’ history. It sparked a return to form for the away side, and lifted the team. The confidence levels of this side will be sky-high and the travelling faithful will wait with bated breath to see whether their side can conjure up another eye-opening performance, if not a similar result against Arsene Wenger’s injury-hit side.
Bournemouth have been unbeaten in the last six matches in Premier League, which is surprisingly better form than their opponents. Things change pretty quickly in Premier League and the title favourites are now in a position where Bournemouth could easily fancy their chances to stage a setback.
Last 5 games: D-W-W-W-D (Last match: Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace)
Key Stats
- Bournemouth have conceded 32 goals in the Premier League this campaign.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven home matches since the opening day loss against West Ham. They have since won five and drawn two at the Emirates.
- The Gunners have gone 21 league matches without defeat against promoted sides, winning 17 and drawing 4.
- The Cherries kept only their third clean sheet of the season on Boxing Day against Crystal Palace.
- The two sides have previously met just once in a League Cup tie in 1987, which Arsenal won 3-0 at Highbury.
- Bournemouth will become Arsenal's 80th different league opponent.
Key Battle
Mesut Ozil vs Harry Arter
Bournemouth’s star from last season, Harry Arter showed from his performances against Chelsea and Manchester United, and even against Crystal Palace why the Cherries missed his presence throughout the season. His presence in the centre of the pitch links the whole team together as far as passing is concerned.
His ability to make that incisive ball to the goal-bound forward proved vital for Bournemouth’s successful Championship season, and the German magician Mesut Ozil will look forward to the challenge of getting past Arter, setting up goals for his teammates. Ozil’s defensive side will also be needed to keep the 25-year-old’s game at bay and keep him in check throughout the 90 minutes.
Arter’s tackles and interceptions will be key to ensure Ozil does not get the opportunity to feed off the wingers and striker in the attacking third. Ozil, who has snapped up 15 assists in the league this season, will look to increase his assists tally. This battle in the middle of the park will be interesting as both the players give their 100% for their sides.
Prediction
Arsenal’s loss to Southampton has taken away a fair bit of confidence and the Gunners need to make a strong statement. They will have to dig hard to get the three points but once they find the net, they have enough quality to come out on top with a margin of three goals. Bournemouth have performed well against top sides off late, but they cannot stop an Arsenal side who will want to turn the tide.
Predicted score: Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth
Betting odds (bet365)
Arsenal – 4/9
Draw – 15/4
Bournemouth – 7/1
