Arsenal have are set to visit Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Premier League next weekend as the Gunners enjoy another blazing start to their season with five wins in seven games.
The Gunners are placed in third place in the early league table, just a point behind leaders Liverpool and Mikel Arteta’s men need to keep the Reds on their toes, and hence, every game is crucial for their title ambitions. They face the Cherries on Saturday evening, and a win here will move them to the top.
However, going into the game, the manager has a long injury list to deal with and will hope that the majority of his key senior players return unharmed after the international break.
🚨In this international break, Arsenal will have up to 13 players who are not called up and will stay at the club 🚫
🇬🇭 Thomas Partey – mild illness
🇩🇪 Kai Havertz – injury precaution
🇳🇴 Martin Ødegaard – injury
🇮🇹 Jorginho – not called up
🇳🇱 Jurrien Timber – injury
🏴 Ben White… pic.twitter.com/GNQ7f4NJ1U— Mex (@Afcmex) October 8, 2024
They have at least 13 players working on their fitness at the Shobha Realty Training Centre, and the club has been working on a proper training session in the past two weeks. Naming the starting XI might be a tricky part in this contest, but the excellent squad depth will come to the Gunners aid once again.
Here is how Arsenal could lineup against Bournemouth
Defence: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori
Raya is expected to start as the No. 1 keeper even if Neto trained with the North London outfit during the international break. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes didn’t pick up any knocks during their duty for France and Brazil, respectively and should start in the heart of defence against the Cherries.
There is no reason to drop Calafiori after the Italian displayed rock-solid performances in the left side of defence for both club and country this season.
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Ben White and Jurrien Timber were excluded from Arsenal’s matchday squad vs. Southampton. We expect them to get back on their feet for the club’s next game, with Timber more likely to play as a right-back owing to his strong start to the season complemented by the unknown with White’s return.
Midfield: Leandro Trossard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino
Thomas Partey might miss his first game of the season due to a knock he suffered while on international duty with Ghana last week. In his absence, the Rice and Merino pair is expected to make their debut.
Fans were optimistic that captain Martin Odegaard will recover completely by mid-October, but he is likely to return at the end of the month. Trossard or Jorginho could take his place, but we expect that the former will grab the final midfield spot.
Attack: Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
All eyes will be on in-form striker Havertz after he pulled out of Germany’s squad for their Nation League matches due to a knee issue. The Vision Podcast shared a positive update on the 25-year-old’s injury, stating that he is absolutely fine to continue.
Bukayo Saka suffered a harmstring injury in England’s 1-2 defeat to Greece. He has returned to the club and is expected to be analysed by the medical staff.
🚨As tweeted two days ago Odegaard has not suffered a setback. He is ahead of schedule for recovery currently. Ben white and Timber both expected to be fit for Bournemouth. Saka is fine and will be available for selection against Bournemouth but is being assessed day by day.
— Muhammed Khan (@Gunner4Life78) October 15, 2024
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The Hale Ender’s knock is said to be fine, but Arteta won’t take any risk and will allow him to rest for the weekend clash. Sterling and Martinelli will cover the right and left wing positions, respectively.
The Brazilian winger will fancy his chances of scoring against Bournemouth after finding form in recent games.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Bournemouth: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Leandro Trossard, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
