Game Week 20 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Bournemouth

Premier League preview: Bournemouth vs Arsenal at Vitality Stadium – Cherries seek repeat upset, Gunners chase 7-pt gap over City; verdict Arsenal win

Bournemouth beat Arsenal over two legs last season, can they do it again? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Bournemouth vs Arsenal

Vitality Stadium

6:30pm

For the first time ever, Bournemouth beat Arsenal last season, not once but twice, and if they draw inspiration from their heroics last season, they might be able to do it again on Saturday.

Arsenal is on top of the log by four points. It’s a strong cushion at this stage, considering the number of injuries the Gunners have had to cope with this season, but it can be better because Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City doesn’t play until Sunday.

A seven-point gap can heap pressure on the Cityzens, and that will ring in the heads of the Gunners as they visit Bournemouth, a team they have roundly dominated in the league until last season. This is the only opponent the Gunners haven’t faced this season.

All is not well at Bournemouth. From the second spot, they have spiralled down to 15th, and with the quality in their squad, one doesn’t expect them to flirt with relegation. They’re also primed to lose their best player in Antoine Semenyo, who is expected to join Manchester City this winter window.

Bournemouth would know this isn’t an easy fry. When they beat the Gunners last season, the first leg at the Vitality saw William Saliba sent off early, and the second leg was at a time Arsenal didn’t care, with a date against Real Madrid in the following midweek; this will be a different game.

The Cherries are winless since November, a run that includes too many draws for comfort. Andoni Iraola insists his team is where he expects them to be, considering how many key players left in the summer; however, they must find ways to revive their campaign or see themselves in the drop zone.

Semenyo is the player to look at for this one. He will try to do his thing, but can the defence hold Arsenal’s dynamic firepower? The Gunners took Aston Villa to the cleaners without even needing Declan Rice. Is this destined to swing the way of the visitors?

Arsenal will rely on the swift movement in their squad to hurt Bournemouth. It will be a good watch considering both sides like to play; however, the quality in the Arsenal side will edge this one. Trust Bukayo Saka to impose himself on this game with trickery and sleek delivery.

Can Bournemouth deal with Arsenal’s set pieces? Kai Havertz could play some parts in this game as well as the returning Ben White. Both teams need results; however, there’s a title race to win, so Arsenal is the favourite for this one.

Verdict: Arsenal to win.