Game Week 26 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Bournemouth

The Gunners must deliver a side that looks like a banana peel to avoid inviting the City pressure into what looks like theirs to lose when the Cherries visit the Emirates on Saturday. (Photo credit: Inside Sport)

 Arsenal vs Bournemouth

Emirates Stadium

4:00pm

Arsenal fans are allowed to dream at this point; from wanting a top four finish to now seeing their big elephant sitting pretty on top of the premier league table with five points cushion, they indeed are allowed to dream.

The Gunners took Everton to the cleaners with a sensational performance that could well be partitioned into two halves; the first half hour against Sean Dyche’s team was torrid but after the hour mark, it fell apart for Everton and Arsenal diced them the way Mikel Arteta wanted.

Bournemouth would look at the fixture list and hope they could get a breather somewhere but if you don’t beat the best, you can’t beat the best. The Cherries endured a difficult evening against Manchester City last weekend and now have to put up with the league leaders this weekend.

The Bournemouth squad can’t possibly contain what they have to deal with but football knows just how to silence bookmakers, will Arsenal allow the Cherries to use them to surprise punters or will they do just enough as expected on home ground?

Bournemouth is deep on the wrong ends of the table and that’s quite expected considering how it started for them on their return and relegating to the Championship league won’t surprise anyone but they’d give a fight.

Arsenal must be wary of complacency, considering the fact that their Europa League journey resumes in midweek, one eye on that fixture could lead to an upset, it’s best to keep it one game at a time to avoid ceding grounds.

City could cut Arsenal’s lead to just two points by the time the Gunners file out against Gary O’Neil’s side but if the Gunners show up like they did in the first leg at the Vitality Stadium where they won 3-0, all should be just fine.

Gabriel Jesus isn’t available and Eddie Nketiah is said to be struggling with his ankle; the Brazilian forward could be available next weekend after getting on grass last weekend and that would boost the Gunners’ cause.

Watch out for Bukayo Saka and the rejuvenated Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard has given Arsenal a new edge with his movement while the defense has been Key too; two clean sheets since the win at Villa shows progress defensively, it just might be Arsenal’s season.

Verdict: Arsenal to win