Arsenal vs Bournemouth predictions: Fragile Gunners vulnerable at home to Cherries
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- Arsenal are second but lost 1-0 to PSG in Europe in midweek
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in last four games, drawing three
- Recommended bet: Draw
Arsenal must try and bounce back from their midweek defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League when they entertain Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Gunners lost 1-0 on Tuesday and face a very difficult task trying to stay on course for continental glory.
However, first, they must try and switch focus back to domestic matters and they could be in danger of failing to finish second in the Premier League with any more slip-ups in the games that remain.
Team news
Arteta is likely to protect some of his first-team stars ahead of the second leg in the Champions League against PSG with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice among the players who could be rested.
Long-term absentees Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all expected to miss the rest of the season and while Riccardo Calafiori, Jorginho, and Kai Havertz are making good progress from injury, none are likely to return at the weekend.
Bournemouth have forward Evanilson available after the red card he picked up in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United was rescinded.
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Hamed Traore and Luis Sinisterra are both hoping to be back before the end of the campaign but this game comes too soon for the Cherries pair.
The stats
Arsenal's last two home games have ended all square.
The Gunners' 13 draws across the season so far is the highest tally in the division.
Only four teams have drawn more games in the top flight this season than the Cherries, who have been held 11 times from their 34 matches.
Bournemouth have drawn three of their last four games.
Prediction
Arsenal might be feeling the effects of their Champions League clash with PSG and changes are expected when they host top-10-chasing Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Cherries could take advantage as Arteta understandably instead focuses on the second leg in Paris on Wednesday and Bournemouth, who need points to try and secure that top-half finish, look good value to pick up a point.
The Gunners were sloppy when Crystal Palace came back to draw 2-2 at the Emirates last month, while they also drew 1-1 at home to Brentford in their previous home clash.
Understandably, with Liverpool closing the title race, Arsenal's focus has gradually shifted to the Champions League and that could be the case again this weekend.
Bournemouth are showing some fight in their bid to finish in the top half as they are on a four-game unbeaten run, albeit drawing three of them, and they were only seconds away from beating Manchester United 1-0 at home last weekend.
Andoni Iraola's side got the better of Arsenal earlier in the season, winning 2-0 at home, and they can pick up a point at the Emirates.
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