Game Week 7 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Bournemouth

Bournemouth seeks turnaround against cautious Arsenal; injuries and lineup concerns for both sides ahead of crucial clash.

Bournemouth needs to start winning games but can they record their first win of the season against Arsenal on Saturday? (Photo credit: 90Min)

 

Bournemouth vs. Arsenal

Vitality Stadium

3:00pm

Bournemouth’s season has yet to record a significant result in the league, but Andoni Iraola’s side has won twice in the League Cup and already learned their opponent in the third round.

The Cherries have three points from six games, each from different draws, but the one on this ground against Chelsea remains their biggest achievement of the season so far, and they would hope to enjoy another good result on Saturday.

Arsenal’s season is yet to hit top gear, but the Gunners have managed to get over the line in many games this season. The draw against Tottenham wasn’t in the script with respect to recent North London Derby results, but Arsenal would take the draw.

With the Champions League game coming in midweek, Arsenal would approach this game with a bit of caution, but anything short of a win will cast questions around the Emirates, with Manchester City already four points clear.

Bournemouth plays attractive football, and that counts for something, but they have to start winning games before they get stuck in the murky waters that do no good. It gets easier after this game with Everton, Wolves, and Burnley to come, but the Cherries must stand to be counted against Arsenal.

Arsenal could be without six first-team players, with Mikel Arteta reporting that Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and William Saliba all didn’t train up until the last training on Friday, and the trio joins Thomas Partey, Leo Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli on the sidelines.

Dominic Solanke is a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury in Bournemouth’s Carabao Cup success against Stoke and would be a big miss upfront. The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker stuck first in the loss to Brighton last weekend and has been the leading light for the Cherries this season.

Arsenal could hand a starting role to Reis Nelson, who starred in the 1-0 win against Brentford on Wednesday, and Jorginho would get another opportunity to make amends after his indiscretion helped Spurs to an equaliser last weekend.

Arsenal has a good record in this fixture, but no two games are the same, and only a good performance on the day would determine where the result tilts. Kai Havertz frustrates Arsenal fans, and you wonder if the manager would persist with him.

Verdict: Arsenal to win